April 20th, 2009 by admin
This blog came from Jon Cline Jr. who is currently a Marketing Administrator at RSI and has attended classes. Here’s what he had to share:
As Marketing Administrator at RSI, my focus lately has been honed in on understanding the HVAC field, and working with career services on internet portal contacts with employers. As part of my current training, it is required that I take the first phase of RSI’s curriculum, so I can better understand the basic terminology and principles of the industry. It was an altering experience. Never before have I looked at a building wondering where the return duct is, and if it is a good location for it.
After about my second day of class, I understood basic thermodynamic principles that allowed me to conceive how heat is transferred in multiple environments. The class has a very progressive style, adding information on top of information, but the pace of the class makes it so everyone will understand by the end of the day. If they don’t, the teachers are always more than happy to stay and tutor. My instructor, Tom Ginn, is a very knowledgeable, witty individual, and would love to be out in the HVAC field, if he hadn’t fallen in love with teaching about a year ago.
Each phase is 20 days in a classroom, which will take a month if you are enrolled in either morning or afternoon classes (6 weeks at night). The final for first phase consists of multiple choice questions ranging from types of refrigerant, to heat pumps, to accessories on the units, to pressure/temperature conversions. None of this is too difficult to answer after first phase, as long as you pay attention, and whenever someone in the class doesn’t understand, they just ask. The first phase thus far has been very eye-opening for me, and I would honestly recommend it to anyone.
March 30th, 2009 by admin
RSI Instructor, Terry Gimbel demonstrates the DEMO TTECH
RSI recently participated in the Arizona Construction Career Days (ACCD), an event designed to introduce high schools students to construction trades. To help these young people understand the kind of work they might see in the HVAC/R industry, RSI instructor Terry Gimbel designed the Demonstrator of Troubleshooting Techniques (DEMO TTECH). The DEMO TTECH simulates electrical problems similar to those found in the real world and offers hands-on experience to students. Because it has been uniquely designed to run off solar power, the DEMO TTECH is completely powered by alternative energy. This not only uses renewable resources but allows for simple installation at events.
During the ACCD event, high school students explored various career and educational opportunities offered by the sponsors. At the RSI booth, students learned about HVAC/R education from Mike Murphy and Grace Rivera-Diaz and had the chance to try their hand at diagnosing and solving real-world HVAC/R problems by using the DEMO TTECH. This challenge proved to be a huge draw, with many students waiting in line to test their skills against the machine. As students successfully solved the problem, Terry used the opportunity to drive home the value of a career in HVAC/R by telling them that they had just earned $85 by using the same skills that HVAC/R technicians use in the field. As a result, students could quickly and easily understand the value of an HVAC/R education and career.
Due to the success of the DEMO TTECH, RSI will use it at other events, including high school career fairs to drive home the career opportunity the HVAC/R industry offers.
February 19th, 2009 by admin
RSI Receives the Platinum Award from United Blood Services
RSI received the Platinum Award from United Blood Services at the Valentine’s for Life luncheon ceremony, February 13th at the Desert Ridge Marriot Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is the highest award that they give out for number of blood donors in a year. Career Development Director, Rick Rusch, was on hand to accept this award (pictured above).
Many of our students and staff donate when RSI hosts a quarterly drive on campus. RSI is honored to receive this award and excited to be able to participate in this life saving public service. We encourage everyone that is able, to donate blood. As the United Blood Services says, “Find the hero in you.”
January 27th, 2009 by admin
We are really excited about the next RSI Open House coming up on Saturday, February 7th from 10am - 2pm. This is the first time we have had an employer host one of our open houses. Parker & Sons, Inc., one of the largest air conditioning companies in the valley, is hosting our open house. They will have service managers here with technicians that are RSI graduates to answer your questions about the industry. We will also have tours, demonstrations, prize drawings (Diamondbacks tickets!!), a tuition planner to answer questions about financial aid, and hot dogs!
Now is the time to invest in a new career. The HVAC/R industry can be used everywhere and will always be necessary. RSI has helped to place graduates on all but one continent, offers career placement assistance, and financial aid to those who qualify. Come see what this career has to offer and how RSI can help you take that first step!
January 9th, 2009 by admin
