The knowledge and training needed for our industry to effectively use the latest technologies has been treated to a triple whammy in the past couple of years. First, COVID-19 has either eliminated or greatly reduced the “classroom” live training programs that have traditionally been offered to help installation companies learn about new applications and the equipment/software that operates those devices and systems. The second issue is that the customers of security and low voltage contractors are demanding the latest and greatest technologies be installed in their systems, which means that the contractors’ personnel need to have detailed knowledge of those technologies. The third issue is that many states are requiring that field personnel (installers, service techs, sometimes salespeople) must seek and receive “Continuing Education Units” (CEUs) in specific amounts of training hours and/or completion of training programs for those employees to maintain their state specific licenses. This problem is magnified for some companies who, for example, operate out of Philadelphia but also provide systems and services to New Jersey customers across the Delaware River. Those companies who cross state lines may likely have to make sure their employees are properly licensed in multiple markets.
Having provided live and recorded training programs for our industry for the past 18 years, I have intimate experience with these issues. It would appear that to keep abreast and have the knowledge to use the latest products, dealers will need to seek out an online alternative to the live training classes that were held in the past.