SERVICE ACADEMY

The ITI Service Academy is a gateway designed to support union sheet metal workers who want to become SMART service contractors and help them overcome the obstacles that have historically prevented members from pursuing a service scope.

During the progression of the Academy’s pathway, participants will first enroll in the ITI Business Development course, which was created to guide union sheet metal workers through the fundamentals of business ownership and to ask themselves challenging questions such as, “Do I have what it takes to start a business?”

The Service Academy’s pathway has many courses available for members at all points in their careers.

The Basic Service Technician Training course is for those who have gained knowledge and insight into the Business Development and Service Manager courses but need more hands-on experience and knowledge working with the tools of the trade.

For those who want to open a dedicated service department at an existing signatory contractor, members can also take Service Specialty Manager Training, a course where participants will learn the ins and outs of dispatch, cost of overhead, maintenance contracts, marketing and more.

The Service Academy provides the most robust and well-rounded approach to the service scope and includes more than just HVACR. The academy style, with multiple course selections available, is based on participant need and will address a broader perspective of service-based scopes of work, including, but not limited to, HVAC Fire Life Safety; testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB); building information modeling (BIM); and Ventilation Verification for Indoor Air Quality.

Most of the courses are offered either entirely online or in a hybrid learning environment with expectations of independent study kept manageable for participants who are still working full time in the field.

Upcoming Classes

Service Academy will be offered twice in 2024, once in the Spring and once in the Fall, during the second portion of the Business Development course.

Course Computer System Requirements:

  • Desktop computer, running Mac or Windows operating systems (while this course is viewable on a mobile device, it is optimized for desktop viewing and participation, and tablets and smartphones are discouraged)
  • An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless
  • Modern internet browser (the latest version of Chrome or Firefox are preferred)

Audio Requirements:

  • Speakers and a microphone – built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth (headset is preferred)

NOTE: The built-in mic and speakers on your computer or mobile device might not pick up your audio as clearly as a headset, because built-in microphones on your computer or webcam can pick up other noise and cause an echo. We recommend using a headset plugged into your computer.

Optional Equipment: (needed ONLY if you prefer to be seen in our virtual classroom)

  • Optional webcam – built-in or USB plug-in
To register your interest, submit an account request at the Business Development Training Portal.

Please note that account registration requires administrative approval, during which we verify your SMART member status. Your interest and participation in this program is kept completely anonymous.