Our irrigation training consists of online video courses that one can work through at their own pace. The IRRIGATION 101 series is designed to lay all the foundations of knowledge that one needs to be an irrigation technician. The concepts of Water Hydraulics and Electricity are explored in the first few courses. This information is absolutely critical. If you don't understand the difference and interaction of pressure, flow, velocity, and friction loss, you will always come up short. I personally came up through the business with no system for training a new recruit. As a result, I drew some of my own conclusions about how water behaved. I had it all wrong, lol.  There are other forms of training available, but it's all rather piecemeal. The manufacturers like Hunter, Rain Bird, Toro, etc. will have live, local seminars at the supply houses. I've been to many of these, and I've learned some good info there. They're generally one-topic events that may occur 3 or 4 times a year at best. Please, take part in all of those classes that you can get to. You'll learn some stuff, and it helps you to build relationships with your suppliers and reps. Some of these manufacturers also have some video training available on their website, which is great for some specific issues. These can play a part in your education, as the random YouTube video can, but they're still not an educational system for starting a new person out and building layer upon layer of real world information. Once a year, there are also week long training events usually hosted by large supply chains. I've gone to those as well. In my part of the country, they're usually held at Myrtle Beach, so it's a beach trip which is nice! Cost-wise, admission to the event plus a week's worth of hotels and dining can get a little pricey for those just getting started in business. My only real comment on these type of classes are that they are usually taught by manufacturer's reps. Don't get me wrong, those guys are great and super knowledgeable on their particular products. However, I was left wanting classes taught by actual contractors that were using these products and techniques in the field. I would still take part in these industry events, if I were you. You will definitely learn some things and possibly get some good networking in! With all that being said, why should someone purchase our video training courses? For starters, the price is amazing, if I do say so myself. The everyday price of our paid courses are $35 USD each. When we get done producing all of the courses we have planned for the 101 and 201 series, there will be 11 courses, 9 paid and 2 free. The total cost for all those are going to be around $380. I consider $350-400 to be the absolute minimum that a technician should put in their pocket for a day of service work. In my area, it's usually more like $500 - 600 per day, but 300 to 350 minimum if you're doing any work at all in the worst of markets. There are markets in FL, TX, CA, MI, & NY that get 2-3 times that price. Consider our new course, Drip Irrigation For Lawn And Farm. You will learn everything you could possibly need to know to plan, install, or repair drip irrigation systems. Yesterday, I completed a drip repair job for a commercial client that put $1,600 in my pocket after expenses. I have another job waiting on me to install some drippers in potted plants. It will probably take an hour and a half and net me around $200. Neither of these jobs are anything special, it's what I do all day, every day. So, I would obviously tell you that a $35 course is an outrageous deal. It's an investment in yourself. Could you take the education from our irrigation training courses and make a living with it? ABSOLUTELY, YES!! My goodness, we service company owners are begging for good technicians! When I've talked to small business owners as well as owners of large franchise chains, almost every one of them have said to me, " We love your training, we need that for sure, but first can you find us someone to hire?" So, there is a demand for technicians that can install (correctly) and repair irrigation systems. I have tried to transition away from personally working in the field and become an educator, but the demand is so great, I can't leave my customers until I can start to replicate myself in the field with expert level technicians. That's where you come in! AuthorHi, my name is Michael Haynes, and I'll be your instructor. I've been a successful business owner and technician in the irrigation and lawn sprinkler industry for almost 20 years. I've worked every job at every level in the residential and lite commerciaI side of the biz, and I've started 3 service companies across SC. |
AuthorHi, my name is Michael Haynes, and I'll be your instructor. I've been a successful business owner and technician in the irrigation and lawn sprinkler industry for almost 20 years. I've worked every job at every level in the residential and lite commerciaI side of the biz, and I've started 3 service companies across SC. ArchivesCategories
All
|
RSS Feed