Group Training - What We Have Learned · HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs summary

Key takeaways

Executing effective training requires not just initial planning but continuous adaptation throughout the process.
Hands-on experience in practical scenarios is vital for building the skills and confidence of apprentices.
Creating a supportive environment fosters motivation and self-motivation among learners.
Verification of skills and knowledge through practical application helps to enhance confidence in apprentices.
Investing in training programs is crucial to developing capable technicians who can address real-world challenges.

Summary

Introduction to the Launch Program

In this episode, Bryan Orr discusses the origins of Kalos's first official cohort apprenticeship program, called the 'Launch Program,' with contributors Bert and Leanna. Initially met with skepticism from the team due to concerns about costs and logistics, this program evolved into a transformative experience, guiding 15 apprentices through a comprehensive training process over three months that encompassed classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, and field experience across HVAC, electrical, and building automation systems.

Challenges of Training and Planning

Bert shares his self-evaluation of his performance leading the program, admitting that while he meticulously planned the first two weeks, the remaining time lacked structure, highlighting the importance of continuous planning. The discussion also touches on the practical challenges of managing a group of 15 apprentices and the necessity of having adequate supportive resources, with Leanna's teaching experience proving crucial.

Hands-On Experience vs. Lectures

A key takeaway from the conversation is the emphasis on hands-on training rather than purely lecture-based learning. Bert reflects on his biggest mistake during the program—spending an entire day lecturing on refrigerant circuits without demonstrating them practically. Successful exercises were rooted in real-world scenarios, such as mock dispatches and service calls, which bolstered both practical skills and soft skills.

Building Confidence and Skills

The episode emphasizes the importance of confidence-building through practical exercises, like ladder safety drills that help apprentices face fears in a controlled environment. Both Bert and Leanna agree that confidence is crucial to safety and success in the field, particularly for young workers who may lack hands-on experience.

Final Thoughts and Future Plans

As the program wraps up, it was noted that of the original cohort, nine apprentices graduated, with two additional apprentices added later for their exceptional potential. The trainers find that while costly and challenging, such training programs are a significant long-term investment in nurturing well-rounded tradespeople capable of critical thinking and problem-solving.

Show notes

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with Bert and Leanna to discuss Kalos's first official cohort apprenticeship program, dubbed the "Launch Program." What started as Bryan's persistent idea—one that the team initially resisted as too expensive and logistically challenging—evolved into a transformative three-month training experience that brought 15 green apprentices through intensive classroom, lab, and field work across HVAC, electrical, and building automation systems.

Bert, who graded himself a B for his first attempt at leading the program, shares candid insights about the challenges of planning and execution. While he meticulously mapped out the first two weeks hour-by-hour, the remaining time was far less structured, leading to valuable lessons about the importance of ongoing planning and verification. Leanna, who came to Kalos with both teaching experience and a commercial HVAC background, brought crucial support that Bert initially didn't think he needed. Her contribution proved essential in managing the group of 15 and ensuring hands-on engagement. Of the original cohort, nine graduated, with two additional apprentices added later who showed exceptional promise.

The conversation reveals critical insights about what makes training effective in the trades. Both trainers emphasize the importance of hands-on experience over lecture, with Bert noting his biggest mistake was spending an entire day lecturing on refrigerant circuits before showing apprentices actual equipment. The most successful exercises involved real-world scenarios, like Leanna's mock dispatch day where apprentices handled service calls from start to finish, including customer communication. The program also incorporated broader trade skills beyond HVAC—carpentry, ladder safety, and tool confidence—recognizing that many young workers today lack the tactile experience that builds confidence in using tools and solving problems independently.

Perhaps most importantly, the discussion highlights the value of verification and confidence-building over knowledge dumping. Bert learned that making diagnostic exercises too complex early on destroyed apprentice confidence, while starting simple and building up created self-motivated learners. The cohort model's unique advantage lies in its competitive yet supportive environment, where apprentices can gauge their progress against peers who started at the same level, creating natural motivation to improve. While expensive and demanding, the program represents a long-term commitment to developing well-rounded tradespeople who can think critically and solve problems—not just perform repetitive tasks.

Topics Covered:

The origins and initial resistance to implementing a cohort-style apprenticeship program
Structuring a 90-day training program with classroom, lab, and field components
The critical importance of planning and having adequate instructor support
Selecting apprentices: key traits including self-motivation, adaptability, and humility
Balancing lecture, hands-on training, and real-world field experience
The power of verification and skills checklists over pure knowledge transfer
Teaching broader trade skills (carpentry, ladder work) to build overall confidence
Creating realistic scenarios like mock service calls for soft skills development
Managing group size and the challenges of keeping all apprentices engaged
The role of confidence-building in safety and long-term success
Starting simple with diagnostic exercises and building complexity gradually
Using field feedback and peer comparison as motivational tools
The cost and commitment required to run effective cohort training programs

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android

Group Training - What We Have Learned