LOS ANGELES – The Hearth, Patio & BBQ Association’s Pacific Affiliate is creating a regional Hearth Technician Training Program (HTTP) to serve the urgent and growing needs of retail, distributor, and service members. They are seeking financial support for this program which is rooted in physical training modules used to develop hands-on knowledge and expertise in gas, wood, pellet, and electrical hearth technologies.

“Our goal is to enhance proper installation and servicing of these varied technologies toward safe work in customers’ homes,” notes Jay Hanson, Pacific’s board president. “Currently it’s only offered very sporadically and in other regions.”

“This will ultimately save our manufacturers money. Our frontline members are unlikely to travel too far now for this training and yet it is one of our industry’s most needed training,” he continues.  The national education and certification arm of the industry has for decades provided essential seminars, but there has not been the vital local hands-on component asked for by technicians.

The emphasis for the next few months is on building the first 22 training modules and creating accompanying instruction.  Components are being gathered currently and the goal is to have two classrooms built by March.  These will be used to provide training programs at two locations in our region to reach the greatest number of members efficiently.

“We will expand on this program in the coming months and years as we add local hands-on training for all types of hearth products,” Hanson stresses. This is just the beginning.” 

To learn more and to offer financial sponsorship of the program, call the affiliate office: 626-237-1200.  #

www.hpbapacific.org/new/