By Alicia Stephens
With the influx of new and inexperienced pool owners on the rise, education will become more important than ever in 2021.
As a result, continuing education is one of the best investments a service professional can make for their future. As a self-employed pool and hot tub service professional, gaining new skills and certifications can help increase one’s income.
Learning how to do something new means a service professional no longer has to outsource certain tasks which, in turn, also create the opportunity to earn more money. In addition to increasing income, continued education provides networking opportunities, promotes innovation, and helps service professionals stay sharp and healthy.
Thanks to today’s advances in online training, many courses are available online and allow people to participate from the convenience of their phone, tablet, or desktop computer. In fact, service pros can take a course while sitting in their truck during their lunch break. With increased consumer demand and competition for pool and hot tub service, now is the time for service professionals to increase their knowledge and skills to stay ahead of the competition.
Live training options are one of the newest advancements
One of the newest advancements in continuing education is ‘Live’ training. These training opportunities not only provide invaluable skills but also give one the chance to meet new people—albeit virtually.
One such training option is available through the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association (IPSSA), located on its Pro Series Pool website (www.proseriespool.com).
Here, one can schedule training and pick topics of interest to arrange for a customized, live-training session to problem solve issues in pools and hot tubs or simply to refresh their knowledge on water chemistry from an experienced and well-respected instructor.
Pre-recorded training options are also available
If this type of training does not work for one’s schedule or style of learning, self-paced training modules that provide in-depth coverage on a variety of topics are also available. For example, Natural Chemistry is launching 10 new, pre-recorded training modules in January 2021.
These topics will include everything from the use of enzymes to phosphate removal and hot topics such as staining, scale, and the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). Designed for busy pool and spa professionals, each module ranges between 10 and 20 minutes. They also include a 10-question quiz at the end of each session to test comprehension. By achieving a score of 80 per cent or higher participants will receive a certificate of completion that can be displayed on their website, truck, and service shop.
These training modules can also connect students to forums or groups to join, or even work together in study groups—allowing one to learn and network at the same time.
Today, keeping connections, through education and associations, is essential for a business to be successful.
Getting advanced certifications is not just about adding credentials to one’s resume. Through these modules, service pros will also learn valuable skills they can apply to their day-to-day job. This can help some technicians become better at regular tasks that might otherwise be time-consuming, as well as even allow some service pros to take on new challenges and offerings they were once not qualified to perform. For example, installing variable-speed pumps (VSPs) and safety covers, learning new stain-removal techniques, or mastering leak detection.
Industry professionals can stay sharp and healthy with new classes and technologies
Some may not realize is there is also a strong link between education and one’s health. By continuing to learn new skills—even as one gets older—it helps to keep the brain active and healthy. Learning new things can also help improve one’s memory.
In fact, learning a new technology or downloading a new mobile app is a great way to challenge the mind. There are several helpful apps now available—specifically for pool and hot tub service professionals— that provide new insight into water chemistry, offering technicians a powerful tool with an added ‘mental exercise’ bonus.
One of these applications, for example, is NC Brands’ proprietary app called ‘Pro Series.’ It offers custom water analysis, expert water treatment solutions, and a mobile-ready database for professionals who want to store a profile for each of their customers. The app allows a tech to load their customer’s pool and hot tub information and contact details, take photos of equipment, track service with before and after photos, provide customized ‘door hangers’ after each visit with notes to clients and more.
It is a good idea for pool and hot tub service professionals to download and use mobile apps such as this one as it can help one’s business.
Professional development helps innovation
Getting a broader understanding of a topic can help one brainstorm and come up with more creative ways to handle related tasks and challenges. Very rarely does innovation come from someone who is always thinking inside the box. Today, the best entrepreneurs have a well-rounded education, and they are always looking for new opportunities to learn.
The off-season is the perfect time to learn new skills
Today, continuing to gain new certifications, training, and education is a must for pool and hot tub service professionals to remain competitive in the market. This winter, service pros should take the time to further their education—it is guaranteed to be one of the best investments they can make for their future.
Alicia Stephens is the education and training manager for Biolab Inc. In her 20 years with the company, she has focused primarily on education, training, and development, as well as technical support and new product research and integration. Currently, Stephens supports all education and training initiatives for the Biolab Pro Dealer division. She can be reached via email at alicia.stephens@biolabinc.com.
