News

Hill College Partners with Fun Town RV to offer RV Technician Program

01.23.17

A partnership between Hill College and Cleburne-based Fun Town RV was developed to meet the growing demand for RV technicians. Johnson County’s recreational vehicle dealerships constitute more than 25 percent of all RV sales in Texas.

At the end of January, the College will launch an RV Technician program, a series of non-credit classes designed to supply entry-level technicians for the industry.

RV Technician salary ranges from $23,020 annually to $58,610 in the state which is slightly higher than the national range which is form $23,010 on the low end to $55,690 on the high end.

RV technicians diagnose, inspect, adjust, repair, or overhaul recreational vehicles including travel trailers. They may specialize in maintaining gas, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing, or chassis/towing systems as well as repairing generators, appliances, and interior components. Includes workers who perform customized van conversions. Excludes "Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics" and "Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists" who also work on recreation vehicles.          

The program was requested by Fun Town, which also helped develop the curriculum and will be allowing the College to use its facilities for part of the training. Fun Town, the largest towable RV dealership in the nation, approached the College due to a shortage of trained workers to meet its demand for repair technicians.

"They (the college) researched it, created it, and now are ready to launch it,” said Matt Lee, director of marketing at Fun Town RV.  “I think it is going to be the start of something really monumental. And since the number one towable RV dealer and number one motor home dealer (Motorhome Specialist in Alvarado) in the whole U.S. are located here in Johnson County, it's definitely an impact that should be felt locally in a great way." 

The need is due, in part, to today’s changing lifestyles, said Fun Town RV CEO Jarrod McGhee.

"The RV industry is experiencing phenomenal growth as the Baby Boomers retire and more people are discovering the RV lifestyle,” he said, “but there is still a lack of technicians across the state. I would hire 20 qualified technicians today if they were available and this is a position that pays far above the average wage in this area.”

Hill is one of very few colleges across the nation, and the only one in north Texas, to offer face-to-face RV technician training.  Current technicians, as well as individuals interested in entering the field, are encouraged to enroll.

“Since TSTC in Waco stopped offering an RV Technician program, there hasn't been anything like this offered at any level in the Southwestern United States,” said Lee.

Hill College Career and Technical Education Dean Dr. Floretta Bush said that with the number of RV dealerships in the area, the College hopes to meet the needs of employers and emerging workers alike.

“We appreciate Fun Town’s interest and support in implementing the program and encourage other dealers to become partners in this initiative,” she said.

The evening program, which begins Jan. 30, consists of four classes: Introduction to RV Service; Electric and Gas Systems for RV Service; Brakes, Towing, and Suspension Systems for RV Service; and RV Pre-Delivery Inspection. Students completing all four classes will receive an RV Technician program certificate.

The classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6-10 p.m. The cost for each class is $216.

Because the program is being offered through the College’s Community and Workforce Education Department, students do not have to apply for admission to the College. A completed registration form, along with payment, should be submitted prior to Jan. 30 for those wanting to start with the first class. Although students can take the classes individually, it is recommended that they take all four in order to be highly marketable, said CWE Executive Director Tammy Logan.