MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Pat Murphy has been over this ground many times before. As vice president of certification for North American Technician Excellence (NATE), Murphy has talked with would-be HVACR technicians, experienced technicians, and business owners across the United States about the importance of NATE testing and certification. It was no surprise that he gave a similar pep talk at the Michigan Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (MIACCA) Spring Break meeting held at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant.
Murphy delivered a simple message: “If you don’t train your tech, he is not going to get any better.” He reminded contractors that technicians are assets for their businesses. “We have statistical evidence of how well the technicians did on their tests,” he said. “By knowing this, you can make your assets more valuable by improving and upgrading each technician’s knowledge of products and services. Your assets are critically important to making you more money.”
Murphy said it is one thing to know that technicians are proficient at their work; it’s another thing to prove it. “That is NATE’s function,” he stated.
Murphy pointed out some other benefits of NATE certification, including:
NATE testing acts as a screening process when hiring technicians.
NATE testing includes critical soft skills knowledge.
Having NATE-certified technicians can be used as a marketing tool for contractors.
Utilities can be less concerned about brownouts during peak demand times because equipment is properly installed and maintained by NATE-certified technicians.
Murphy noted that the Veterans Administration reimburses contractors who pay for testing of veterans. He also said that NATE plans to add more specialty tests soon, including a hydronic equipment test.
Murphy realizes that the tests are difficult and that many people taking the tests are not likely to be happy with their scores. He said there is a formal review process that people can apply to if they are not satisfied. But he stressed that testing is not a one-time deal, and that the process is ongoing. “We have continuing education built in as part of the recertification program,” Murphy said. “You need 60 hours of continuing education over five years and then you need to test again.”
For more information, visit www.natex.org.
Published in The NEWS: 05/16/2005
