Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) appliance servicing program (APPL) has increasingly become a popular career choice for those interested in learning a trade. With the gap of qualified tradespeople forecasted in the next five to 10 years, learning a trade is something more people are considering every year.
For APPL student Justin Forbes, it was seeing the enjoyment and reward his father experienced in an appliance servicing career that ultimately persuaded him to enrol in the program.
“Technology is always changing and with the various machines we train on, every workday will be interesting and different from the last,” said Forbes. “This program opened many doors I didn’t know existed, aside from appliance servicing, I’ll have the opportunity to go into electrical work, commercial refrigeration, and with the 'C' gas ticket, be able to get into servicing fireplaces.”
After completing the APPL program in June, Forbes hopes to work for his father’s company in Courtenay, B.C.
David Fengstad, APPL instructor at Kwantlen, said the program is a great career choice.
“With the changes in technology in our field and the changing demographics in our society there is a real demand for individuals of all ages and backgrounds as an appliance service technician. Our trade incorporates multiple disciplines, such as electrical, gas and refrigeration.”
KPU’s APPL program is the only full-time program in Canada that offers appliance servicing as a career. For the last 40 years, graduate students continue to be successfully employed as technicians, owners, managers, and technical trainers in the appliance industry in B.C., Canada and the United States.
Graduates from the program are also working in commercial cooking servicing, vending machine repair, furnace and fireplace service sector, as well as other "electromechanical" occupations.
KPU’s next 39-week APPL course begins March 5, 2013, and ends Nov. 29, 2013. There is still room to register. Visit kwantlen.ca/trades/appliance_servicing for more information.