Online Training Can Deliver for Your Company and Technicians

 

Online training and recertification have been in place in one form or another in the pest control industry for some time. Forward-thinking regulators, company owners and technical directors see the value in allowing technicians to study and take tests at a time that works for them and their company.

 

In addition to the bottom-line impact of not having to pull technicians off their routes, research shows today’s employee does better retaining the information presented online and they retain more of it.

 

The value of online training has never been more evident than right now during the nation’s COVID-19 outbreak. While pest control has been deemed an essential business, many companies are not having technicians come into the office as regularly. This means training must be done via a Zoom, Microsoft Teams or similar virtual platforms.

 

How is this impacting pest management professionals trying to onboard new hires and provide continuing education for existing employees?

 

Andy Witcher of Scorpiontech in Mesa, Ariz., says he sees online training as opportunity to expand his five technicians’ knowledge base, as well as their careers.

 

“We are always looking to cross train our technicians and make them as versatile as possible,” says Witcher. “Online training affords us more choices in classes and topics, and its more convenient and faster than sending them to a traditional class.”

 

Witcher says online training complements the monthly in-house training he already does and allows him to build a more robust training program for his growing company. 

 

Online training also offers more opportunities for technicians and Witcher to add knowledge that will help advance their careers. Being able to earn designations such as the Associate Certified Entomologist (A.C.E.) or the Purdue University online IPM courses, not only enhances their resumes but give Witcher and Scorpiontech a business advantage.

 

“Various suppliers in our area offer online prep courses for the A.C.E. exam and that makes it easier to start the process,” says Witcher. “We want to offer our technicians a path forward to expanded roles within the company and that can be achieved in part by taking advantage of the online educational offerings that are available.”

 

Witcher adds the challenge, even with the convenience and 24/7 accessibility to online training, is making sure technicians have the time to complete the training.

 

“It’s a challenge for everyone in the industry but you have to help them by committing time during their workday,’ says Witcher. 

 

The Arizona PMP, who started Scorpiontech in 1997 after buying one service route from his wife’s uncle’s company, says he is looking at dedicating time at the end of the day when a technician’s route is light for training.

 

“We want to make training and advancement a priority for our business and technicians,” says Witcher. “Online training not only offers opportunities to grow a career but to increase job satisfaction. It means something to say I’m becoming more of a specialist because I’ve taken the time to learn more.”

 

Lauren Thrasher of Thrasher Termite & Pest Control of Southern California in San Diego says the company’s strategic plan calls for using online training to achieve higher levels of training or designations like the A.C.E. and create more career tracks for employees. 

 

“Supporting employees to achieve designations such as A.C.E. tells them they are valued and that you are interested in their success,” says Thrasher. “When someone knows that they will work that much harder to help themselves, customers and the company.”