Bringing NATE to HVAC
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| Rick Kincel, HVAC Learning Solutions trainer and developer, instructing students in Lennox's live lab training center. |
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Manufacturers support NATE in multiple ways. Each manufacturer has a different idea of how NATE certification can positively influence its business and the industry.
Lennox’s HVAC Learning Solutions (HLS) program is comprehensive, offering two NATE review and testing programs. The onsite program uses Lennox Field Technical Consultants (FTCs). FTCs are NATE exam proctors who hold one NATE certification and teach one-day classes at Lennox dealers’ facilities. These classes include a four-hour core information review followed by the NATE core and specialty exams. Another facet of the HLS program is the Technical Training Centers. HLS’ technical training curriculum includes a one-and-a-half day class. This class offers an eight-hour review with a preparation manual covering many subjects. A question and answer session is held at the end of the day. The next morning, after answering questions that arose from the previous night’s study, both the core and specialty NATE exams are administered.
HLS serves four major groups of students from across North America. Those include: independent Lennox dealers and their employees, Lennox Industries employees, Industrial Building Services employees, and Service Experts Inc. employees.
Service Experts is highly involved in the NATE certification programs. In the United States, 86 percent of Service Experts’ technicians are NATE certified; in Canada 50 percent; and fifteen Service Experts Centers have 100 percent of their technicians NATE certified.
Independent Lennox dealers offer a wide variety of benefits to NATE certified technicians and installers. Company recognition programs for achieving NATE certification vary and include pay increases, other financial rewards, and special jackets. Service Experts rewards its employees for NATE certification. It also extends to NATE certified techs and installers the opportunity to participate in internal technical committees where certification is required for membership.
“Lennox and HLS chose NATE above other certification organizations because of its composition,” said Rick Kincel, HLS trainer and developer. “The NATE advisory board is comprised of the industry’s finest minds.”
NATE’s technical committee, which has oversight of the NATE series of tests, uses subject-matter experts from manufacturers, educators, oil product specialists, hydronic specialists, and other industry segments.
“An organization with this much diversity benefits the technician by improving all of the HVAC technical training offered in North America,” noted Kincel. “We also appreciate that NATE doesn’t provide training; it simply sets the objectives wanted by the industry, develops exams, and tracks results to continually improve the certification process and indirectly develop better technicians.”
Lennox and HLS have also provided training throughout the United States and Canada for many years, testing students in its live lab training centers. Students attending the developmental classes have the option of taking the NATE exams after completion of their course. HLS has found that the pass rate following these classes is higher than that of the students taking just the NATE review course, and those taking just the review course have done better than the national average of all NATE participants. Training does make a difference.
“We chose NATE because it is independent,” said Kincel. “NATE exemplifies the meaning of certification — a voluntary process of peer review by which a practitioner is recognized as having attained the professional qualifications necessary to practice in one or more disciplines.”
Certification Culture
“NATE certification is more of a culture for Carrier,” said Karie Johnson, manager of programs and promotions for Carrier Corp. Residential. “We try to fully integrate NATE on a daily basis and we encourage all dealers to become NATE certified.”
Carrier’s Factory Authorized Dealers are dealers with the Carrier endorsement. It is mandatory for all Factory Authorized Dealers to be NATE certified, along with other rigorous criteria. Carrier also works to ensure that everyone involved in installation is up to speed on the proper procedures.
“We have a high percentage of our dealer base that supports NATE and has their techs certified,” commented Johnson. “NATE certification is something that culturally Carrier and its dealers understand is good. We highly encourage it.”
Carrier has a training facility that offers multiple NATE prep courses. The company also partners with outside firms for test preparation programs. Beyond training and employee education, Carrier endeavors to educate the end user, offering educational and advertising materials.
“We work to stay in sync with NATE,” said Johnson. “Carrier has been NATE’s partner since its inception and we plan to continue moving forward in step with NATE. People know NATE, and people trust NATE; they are a partner to the industry.”
A History of Participation
Trane has a deep history with NATE, according to Loran Dailey, manager of field operations excellence-strategic programs. Field Service Representatives (FSRs) for Trane and American Standard distribution are required to be certified in three specialties: heat pump service, gas furnace service, and air distribution. FSRs are individuals that have the responsibility for interfacing with technicians in the field. They provide technical assistance and training and respond to consumer concerns, fostering customer relations. They are the manufacturer’s eyes and ears, reporting directly back to Trane. FSRs also proctor exams and have developed NATE preparatory programs, sharing them with other trainers for their usage.
Along with the FSR program, Trane continues to participate in the development of NATE. Dailey is currently co-chairing the technical committee, serving along with numerous other Trane representatives on the technical committee.
Trane promotes the many benefits of NATE certification throughout its organization. “We just recently piloted the brand new HVAC Efficiency Analyst exam due out sometime in early 2007,” said Dailey. “We encourage our dealers and contractors to employ NATE certified technicians.
“Beyond that, many of our distribution offices maintain testing organization status and conduct NATE preparation and test sessions throughout the year,” commented Dailey.
Trane and American Standard share the costs with their dealers for technician certifications in the core and at least one specialty. The companies view it as an incentive for their dealers to provide the assurance of NATE certified skills to their customers.
Training the Industry
Nordyne is another manufacturer working closely with NATE. It is currently proctoring NATE exams several times throughout the year. Nordyne’s training programs were designed to help prepare a technician for NATE certification, and certification is strongly recommended for the company’s contractors. The company also promotes NATE certification in its literature and trade advertising.
“Nordyne recognized from the beginning the need for well-trained and knowledgeable technicians. We also recognized the need for an industry supported certification organization to recognize these individuals,” said the company. “When the NATE certification concept was first presented to Nordyne we immediately joined forces with the rest of the industry to support and participate in the creation of NATE. The entire HVACR industry benefits from not only the creation but also the continued growth of NATE.”
The bottom line? Manufacturers support NATE HVAC technician certification. More knowledgeable technicians mean improved installation and service — and everyone benefits from that.
