“We have lots of experience and information to share with contractors,” said John Barba, Taco’s contractor training and trade program manager, “but they’re the ones out in the field getting it done every day. That tells us two things: A – That we need to offer our training with maximum flexibility, and B – we can learn just as much from them as they can learn from us.”
“I know participants are busy, and squeezing in training sessions can be a hassle, so we’re doing our best to make learning flexible,” said Barba. “To do that, we’re taking a multi-pronged approach to contractor training.”
On the Taco website you’ll find recorded FloPro University e-learning courses and the opportunity to quiz yourself at the end. These self-guided classes can be viewed at any time, over any computer and for as long as the participant can devote. Each class is broken up into many lessons, each lasting just a few minutes so one can learn at their own pace.
The first courses available include ‘Universal Hydronics Formula’, ‘Variable-Speed Pumping’, ‘Hydronics; Step-by-Step’ and ‘Anatomy of a Circulator’. More FloPro University classes will appear throughout the balance of the year.
“Besides the video FloPro U classes I also host a variety of live webinars,” continued Barba. “I really like the webinars because they’re interactive. Participants see and hear each other, yet from any convenient location. It’s very cool.”
“The webinars, which usually last around an hour, are currently held bi-monthly,” said Barba. Contractors from across the US and Canada can join any of the webinars. Participants, along with Barba, put their heads together to find new solutions to a wide variety of challenges. Recent webinars have features topics such as combustion analysis, pressure drop and circulator, expansion and buffer tank sizing, as well as domestic hot water recirculation. All these webinars are also archived on the Taco’s “The Neighborhood” website for viewing anytime.
Like any good professor, Barba also has “office hours” where he can be reached by video conference call in his office. This allows FloPro U members to reach him with any questions that might arise at a jobsite or during one of the FloPro U classes.
More information can be found on the Taco website. Sign up and join the FloPro Neighborhood to network with contractors across the US and Canada. Members receive email updates about E-learning videos, webinars, factory training sessions, and Barba’s office hours.
About Taco
Taco, Inc., headquartered in Cranston, RI, is a leading manufacturer of heating and cooling equipment, systems and accessories for hydronic-based applications in residential, commercial and institutional buildings worldwide.