News from RVDA Canada
Newsletter
News Highlights
February 2017
Chairman’s Message
2016 RVDA of Canada RV Industry Payroll Survey
RVDA 2017 RV Shows Across Canada
2017 Entry for the Annual National Best Bulk Booth Awards
2017 Canadian RVing and Camping Week
RVDA of Canada renews Endorsement Partnership with iA-SAL
Inside this issue: 2016 Fourth Quarter Economic Review
2
RVDA of Canada RV 3 Industry Payroll Brian Williams, Retires
4
Burglary Prevention 6 by Alex Callahan, Canadian RVing & Camping Week
7
RVDA RV Shows Across Canada
8
Annual National Best Bulk Booth Awards
9
RVDA of Canada Endorsements
12
RVDAMember Discount Program / Benefits
13
National News
14
Dear Members, The start of the New Year is always a busy time for our industry. With provincial and regional RVDA shows in full swing, we are able to showcase the fun, flexible and affordable vacation options for Canadian families. And we are very pleased to report that people are attending RV retail shows in great numbers. We have been seeing increased numbers for both attendance as well as sales figures. The mood out there is good and consumers are making investments in their RV lifestyle experience. Let’s keep the momentum going! This month you will be receiving our 2016 Q4 Economic Report. There is positive news in this report as well. Not only were sales starting to increase again in November but other key indicators noted include: Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.9% in the third quarter, following a 0.3% decline in the second quarter Employment rose by 54,000 (+0.3%) in December, the result of gains in full-time work. The unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 6.9%, as more people participated in the labour market. Retail sales rose for the fourth consecutive month, edging up 0.2% to $45.2 billion in November. Housing starts jumped to 207k annualized units in December from 187k in November, well above market expectations for a more modest rebound to 191k. Our recent communications to you have made you aware that we have been working closely with the Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC), in their lobbying efforts with the Federal Government to address and resolve concerns regarding the tax interpretation/policy changes affecting campgrounds. Canada Revenue Agency’s new interpretations could potentially impact a large majority of campgrounds making them unviable businesses. We encourage you to continue to reach out to your Member of Parliament. To garner further support, we have developed an online petition for individuals across Canada to access and support. Completion takes only a few seconds. Have your customers sign it too as they will also be impacted by the current rulings. As a member of the RVDA of Canada, you have access to the Go RVing Canada Dealer Tie-in program. The Tie-in program encourages you to use as many marketing tools as possible to further promote the RV lifestyle within your own dealership. You will find a number of marketing tools that can be used in a variety of situations. Materials for this program can be downloaded from the Go RVing Canada website in the “Industry Information” section at www.gorving.ca/industry-information. This program is again offered free of charge to our members so make sure you’re signed up! I would like to remind you that the payroll survey has been sent to your inbox. Please participate! The RV industry payroll survey continues to evolve based on your feedback to offer you the most concise report. For the 2016 survey, we are asking you to report average years of experience for each position. By collecting this information, it will enable us to provide you with more precise salary and hourly range. Complete this survey before the following dates for a chance to be entered into a draw for one of four $25 gift cards toward any RVDA event or manuals. Draws will be made on: February 17, March 10, 24 and April 7. The final chance to submit the survey will be on April 14, 2017. Happy Selling! Sam Parks, Chairman of the Board RVDA of Canada
Page 2
Newsletter
2016 Fourth Quarter Economic Review The Quarterly Economic Review is intended to deliver a comprehensive look at the economic indicators affecting the RV industry in Canada. These products are intended to provide members with current economic information, which can assist them in gaining insights into the changing economic dimensions of the RV industry and the economy at large. Download this report on RVDA of Canada member site under Member services / Industry Relations tabs (login required)
February 2017
Page 3
RVDA of Canada RV Industry Payroll Survey Need some benchmarking figures for your annual reviews? Complete the 2016 RVDA of Canada RV industry payroll survey! With the preparing the T4, the data needed for hand, we would participation in the payroll survey.
information gathered from you already have most of this survey. With that in like to ask for your annual national RV industry
The RV industry payroll survey continues to evolve based on your feedback to offer you the most concise report. For the 2016 survey, we are asking you to report average years of experience for each position. By collecting this information, it will enable us to provide you with more precise salary and hourly range. While there are other human factors that would determine the rate of pay such as education and credentials, years of experience is one that can be accurately captured. Conducting the RV industry payroll survey annually provides us with the following information: Number of people currently employed, provincial and federal tax revenues derived and its economic impact Number of (red seal) technicians and apprentices in each province Competitiveness with other skilled trades sectors in relation to working conditions, hourly wages and benefits The annual payroll survey will be administered, compiled and analyzed by MNP. Each survey is coded by your dealership location. We strongly urge you to complete the survey online. Please retain a copy of the completed survey for your own record. Complete this survey before the following dates for a chance to be entered into a draw for one of four $25 gift card toward any RVDA event or manuals. Draws will be made on: February 17, March 10, 24 and April 7. The final chance to submit the survey will be on April 14, 2017. Winners will be announced via RVDA of Canada’s RV Express and on RVDA of Canada’s Facebook page. Upon closing of the survey, MNP will compile the responses into comparative provincial and national summaries. MNP is also charged with the responsibility of maintaining complete confidentiality of all the information submitted. By participating in the 2016 RVDA payroll survey, you will receive a comprehensive summary report with national and provincial data.
Board of Directors Executive Committee Sam Parks Chairman Camp-Out RV Stratford, ON Jean-Francois Lussier Vice-Chairman Horizon Lussier Marieville, QC Herb Cowen Pike Lake Golf Centre Treasurer Pike Lake, ON George Goodrick Past Chairman Adventure Sports LTD Dartmouth, NS Directors Gord Bragg Hub City RV Bruno Tombari Bellavista RV Darcy Turgeon Carefree RV Ltd Kyle Kehoe Kehoe RV Jim Gorrie GNR Camping World Josee Bedard Ruolottes Chaudiere Trevor Moase Vacationer RV Sales And Services Bruce Marsh Cape Breton Trailer Sales
Page 4
Newsletter
Brian Williams, Retires after 31 years at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Brian Williams, retires after a stellar 31-year career at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). He most recently served as the Academic Chair of the School of Transportation. Under his strong leadership, the RV service technician apprenticeship at the Calgary campus greatly flourished and offers training for up to 80 apprentices each year. The School of transportation has been part of SAIT since its inception in 1916, with the original discipline of motor mechanics. Now, the School of Transportation provides hands-on, practical education for automotive, aviation, heavy duty and rail. The School of Transportation currently has 25 specialty labs,10 shops, and over 60 training vehicles and aircraft, many donated by industry partners. Prior to joining the School of Transportation, Brian was an avid RVer having owned various types of RVs ranging from truck camper, trailers to motorhomes for weekend and summer trips.
RV Shop at SAIT
During Brian’s tenure, the RV apprenticeship program at the Calgary campus undergone a great transformation. The entire School of Transportation started with a very small shop facility in the Bob Edwards building. The limited space also meant limited enrollment capacity. SAIT then opened another campus in Edmonton in 2007, which included the RV apprenticeship program. Unfortunately, the RV apprenticeship program was terminated in 2012 due to limited enrollment. At the same time, the School of Transportation in Calgary also moved into a much larger facility, at the Buck Crump building. Due to the larger floor place, the RV apprenticeship program at Calgary really thrived over the years.
When asked about the relationship with the RVDA, Brian responded, “fantastic! I cannot speak highly enough to the support that we receive from the RVDA. I believe that the RVDA supports RV students at SAIT better than any other industry association that I am aware of…the students are very fortunate to receive the support available from the RVDA.” The following are awarded to RV apprentices each year: Gene Skog Award – 1 award valued at $690 for a student most improved in 1st Period Art Dack Award – $1000 award for the top student in each class; $45,000 have been awarded since 2001 Paul Sinclair Award – Up to 36 awards of $500 each for graduating students from program;
February 2017
Page 5
RVDA of Alberta also supports apprentices by subsidizing some living expenses while away from home by way of gift cards for fuel and groceries as well as travel allowance for those travelling more than 200 km to Calgary. To date, a total of $107,000 has been gifted to RV students. In 2016, SAIT received a $20,000 donation from RVDA Canada and CRVA in support of training units and labs for the RV Program. These will enhance instruction in refrigerators, slide-outs, electronic and A/C controls and furnaces. Brian believes that “the industry overall is very supportive of SAIT and the RV program.� SAIT Calgary campus had co-hosted the 2013 and 2016 Calgary Trouble Shooter Clinics. This collaboration between industry partners including RVIA and the various component suppliers helped showcase the campus and promote the program to the industry as well as to technicians from outside of Alberta. RVDA of Alberta regularly participates in career and trade fairs as well as provide space to SAIT during RV shows to promote the RV service technician trade to the general public. Brian will now spend his retirement doing some international travelling as well as completing a camper conversion for his future North America tour! We wish Brian all the best!
(Left) Brian Williams enjoying skiing in deep powder snow
Page 6
Newsletter
Burglary Prevention by Alex Callahan, DIRECTOR, CLIENT STRATEGY & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT © Federated Insurance Company of Canada. All rights reserved. This document is provided by Federated Insurance Company of Canada (“Federated”) for informational purposes only to augment your own internal safety, compliance and risk management practices, and is not intended as a substitute for assessment or other professional advice by a qualified person or entity. Federated makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. Federated shall not be responsible in any manner for any loss, or any direct, indirect, consequential, special, punitive or other damages, arising out of your, or any other person’s, use or reliance on the information contained in this document. For more information, contact our Loss Prevention Department at 1-800-665-1934, or visit our website at
In 2004 there were 1.3 million burglaries in Canada, or one every 24 seconds. Burglary and theft prevention is a necessary part of your loss prevention program. The level of complexity will depend on the characteristics of your area and the theft attractiveness of your stock and equipment. Whether a thief is a smash and grab artist or a professional, the resulting building damage and property loss can be significant. It is always better to avoid a burglary than deal with its after affects. The following are some areas to consider when designing your burglary prevention program and will help minimize break-ins. Building design and materials: An effective burglar protection program needs to consider the building design and how the various components of a building need to work together to prevent burglaries. The weakest points of all buildings are the doors and windows. These need to be protected. When constructing a building, the burglary potential should be considered in the design and materials chosen. You should take into consideration the theft attractiveness of the contents. Limit the number of doors and windows. Entry points should be located in a manner that discourages burglary. Building materials are a key component of burglary prevention. For example, pre-cast concrete walls offer considerably better protection than metal clad walls. The likelihood of a thief entering the building through a solid concrete wall is remote in comparison to a metal clad wall. Doors: Doors are favorite access points for thieves as they can be easy to open. Some key things to consider include: All exterior doors should be provided with double cylinder deadbolt locks with at least a one-inch throw. Side and rear doors should be provided with supplemental protection such as an iron gate or iron bolts. Overhead doors should be secured with padlocks. Overhead door windows should be protected with metal bars or mesh. Outward swinging doors should have hinges with non-removable pins. Perimeter doors should be of substantial construction. Side and rear doors should be of solid-wood or steel construction and installed in reinforced steel frames. Hollow-core wood doors or panel doors should be replaced or be reinforced on the inside with sheet metal. Glass panels on side and rear doors should be replaced. All glass panel doors should be protected with burglar resistance film or metal bars. . All doors should be illuminated from above and the light fixtures protected from breakage. Note: Locking devices must comply with the local building code requirements and must be unlocked when the building is occupied as per the local legislation.
Windows: Windows should be protected from the inside with metal bars attached to the frame. Burglar resistance or security film can be installed on the windows. Exterior Protection: Install exterior lighting to eliminate dark areas and discourage thieves. Eliminate plants or other hiding areas around doors and windows. Install fence compounds to protect open lots. Burglar alarms: Burglar alarms provide additional protection and compliment the physical security of a building. Statistics show installing burglar alarm systems reduces the likelihood of a break-in by 67%. For additional information, please see the Burglar Alarm System bulletin located on the Federated Insurance web site.
February 2017
Page 7
Canadian RVing & Camping Week
For more information please contact: Chris Mahony, Go RVing Canada: at 416.693.9222 Go RVing Canada and Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC) are partnering again for the second annual Canadian RVing and Camping Week from May 23rd – May 28th, 2017. Both will be partnering with Make-A-Wish® Canada again this year to help grant magical wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. In addition to raising funds through the well-known Make-A-Wish star program, this year we’re hoping to host the largest simultaneous marshmallow roast with campgrounds across the country – a fun initiative for campers and a great way to help raise funds for Make-A-Wish®. We look forward to getting a lot of participants from coast to coast! Canadian RVing and Camping Week will be the unofficial kick off for the RVing and camping season in Canada. Participating campgrounds from coast to coast will offer discounted campsite rates on reservations made between May 23rd – 28th, 2017. Stay tuned for more details regarding the 2017 Canadian RVing and Camping Week. We invite you to respond to this email should you have any questions. We look forward to celebrating the 2017 Canadian RVing and Camping Week with you!
Shane Devenish, Canadian Camping and RV Council: at 905.336.8969
February 2017
Page 8
RVDA RV Shows Across Canada
2017 EDMONTON RV EXPO & SALE SHOW DATES FEB 9– 12 The show is open to the public so please come check it out! Tickets can be purchased at the door. To become an exhibitor for the 2017 Edmonton Show, contact carrie@rvda-alberta.org or at 780-455-8562. For more information check us out on Facebook "RV Show Edmonton"
Edmonton RV Expo & Sale Edmonton EXPO Centre Edmonton, AB (map) February 9 – 12, 2017 Contact: Dan Merkowsky RVDA of Alberta 1-888-858-8787 (780) 455-8562 www.rvda-alberta.org/dhows.hmtl
Red Deer RV Show Westerner Park, Red Deer, AB (map) February 17 – 26, 2017 Contact: Ronanne Ashton Vellner Leisure Products 1-800-242-2593 (403) 343-1464 ronanne.ashton@vellner.com www.rvda-alberta.org/shows.html
RED DEER RV SHOWWESTERNER PARK, 4847A-19 Street 2017 Red Deer Show Dates - February 17 - 26 To become an exhibitor or for any information regarding the 2017 Red Deer Show, contact Ronanne Ashton. For further information go to the Red Deer RV Show website.
OTTAWA RV EXPO & SALE
Ottawa RV Expo & Sale The EY Centre, Ottawa, ON (map)
Montreal RV Show Palais de congrès, Montreal, QC (map)
February 9 – 12, 2017 Contact: Natalie Conway RVDA of Ontario 1-888-331-8885 www.ontariorvda.ca/
February 16 – 19, 2017 Contact: Agar Grinberg RVDA of Quebec (514) 338-1471 www.salonvr.com
The All NEW Ottawa RV Expo & Sale is excited to open it's first show in the Nation's captial region Enjoy viewing hundreds of RVs! Enjoy our informative educational seminars, attractions for the kids and a fully equipped parts and accessories store, plus... you
could WIN $5000 cash back if you purchase an RV at the Expo. Onsite financing available with TD Auto Finance
Page 9
Newsletter
Annual National Best Bulk Booth Awards 2016 RVDA Best Bulk Booth Winner
CONTEST CRITERIA APPEARANCE
Professional, bright, clean, easy to get around THEME Is there a main theme? Does it fit the dĂŠcor PRODUCT DISPLAY Well presented, organized, attractive (both inside & outside units) STAFF Appropriately dressed, uniforms support theme of show SIGNAGE Professional, prominent, easy to read FENCING/SKIRTING Appropriate, hides work areas or hitches EXHIBIT AREA Clean, no boxes/garbage in view, booth within contracted area LIGHTING Bright, all bulbs working, highlights area, adds to presentation.Bulk space is defined as a booth over 1000 sq. ft. Check with your provincial / regional RVDA for local information on shows and judging.
February 2017
Page 11
RVDA of Canada renews its Endorsement Partnership with iA-SAL The RVDA of Canada has just announced that it has renewed its long-standing platinum endorsement partnership with iA-SAL, a division of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services. Due to iASAL’s unsurpassed commitment to the industry as well as the line of quality products represented, the RVDA of Canada Board of Directors has shown ongoing confidence in our mutual partnership. Endorsed partner since 1994, iA-SAL continues to offer the most comprehensive suite of F & I products and services to the industry including the following endorsed products.
Group Creditor Insurance
SAL Protection Plan Warranty (SPP)
Diamond-Kote Appearance & Protection Products
Silent Sentinel Traceable Theft Deterrent Products The health and well-being of the Canadian RV industry benefits tremendously from partnerships like these. iA-SAL not only provides innovative products that the RVDA of Canada can promote to its member body as a benefit but also contributes to the financial viability of the provincial/regional and national RVDAs. “We are very pleased to be able to continue this partnership” stated Sam Parks, RVDA of Canada Chairman, “We look forward to working with iA-SAL on numerous initiatives and truly value their continued support of the Canadian RV industry.” “iA-SAL is committed to providing dealers with products that will help enhance their customers’ buying experiences at the dealership level” said Luc Samson, Vice-President, iA-SAL. “We are delighted to receive the RVDA of Canada’s Platinum Endorsement and look forward to our continued relationship with Canadian RV dealerships and their clients.” The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada is a national, volunteer federation of provincial and regional RVDA associations which exists to protect and promote the interests and welfare of RV Dealers across Canada in order to enable the industry to maximize its potential. For more information, please contact the RVDA of Canada at 604-718-6325.
Page 12
Newsletter
RVDA of Canada Endorsements CREDITOR INSURANCE / WARRANTY / APPEARANCE PROTECTION / ANTI-THEFT
GROUP EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
iA-SAL
Federated Insurance
iA-SAL supplies innovative after-market products to the RV market. An industry leader since 1963, iA-SAL's RVDA- endorsed products include: Creditors' Group Insurance: Life, Disability & Critical Illness Extended Warranty Program (SPP: SAL Protection Plan) Diamond-Kote Appearance Protection Products Silent Sentinel Anti-Theft Etch Program Check your member directory, or member listings at www.rvda.ca, for your provincial contact. http://www.iasa.ca/
MERCHANT PAYMENT PROCESSING SOLUTIONS
NXGEN Canada (formerly PayLogec Merchant Solutions) NXGEN Canada, an Elavon Payments Partner, offers a complete transaction processing solution with preferential rates on VISA, MasterCard, Interac and other point-of-sale services, delivered with the exceptional customer service associated with RVDA of Canada's endorsement partners. To apply for this service and save on your merchant processing fees, contact: isa Gorian: 1.866.288.1587 x105 lgorian@nxgencanada.com
Federated Insurance provides customizable Group Employee Benefit coverage. Contact: Western Canada: Wayne Budge at 1-800-665-1934 Eastern Canada: Mauro Di Tullio at 1-800-361-0790 www.federated.ca
PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE
Federated Insurance Federated
Insurance Company of Canada provides direct underwriting of Property and Casualty Insurance for RV dealerships. In addition, the Inventory Floor Plan Advantage is available from Federated Insurance for Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF) customers. Burnaby, BC – 1-800-939-7788 Edmonton, AB – 1-800-661-8617 Calgary, AB –1-800-342-9157 Regina / Saskatoon, - 1-866-291-0523 Winnipeg, MB –1-800-665-1934 London, ON –1-800-461-3117 Mississauga, ON -1-800-387-5953 Laval, QC & Atlantic Region –1-800-361-0790 www.federated.ca/
WEB AND ONLINE SERVICES RVHotline Canada SynergyProSolutions.com
RVDA / SPADER 20 GROUPS
1-866-642-2343
Spader Business Management
RVHotline Canada provides New and Used RV online classified and inventory services exclusive to members of the RVDA. Every month, tens of thousands of RVers select this web site to look for RVs. RVHotline Canada also promotes the RV industry by providing additional online resources to the RV community. Affordable quality web design and free web hosting for participants complement the offering.
www.rvhotlinecanada.com RVDA/Spader 20 Groups, managed by the Spader Companies, help dealers improve management skills, recognize market trends and solve problems. 1.800.772.3377 (US and Canada) info@spader.com | www.spader.com
February 2017
Page 13
RVDA Member Discount Programs / Benefits Discounts on select courier services worldwide Exclusive discounts up to 35% off select FedEx services when shipping within Canada, to the US, or internationally.
Discounts on hotel rooms – access to Choice Hotels program discounts of 15-20% at over 325 hotels in Canada & 6,300 hotels worldwide, & some complimentary services at select hotels. Aeroplan or Choice Privileges points can be earned. Book travel be online, on your mobile device or via a toll-free number.
Discounts on 3 payroll & employment compliance resources – an exclusive 20% discount on 3 of their publications: Human Resources PolicyPro, Human Resources Advisor and HR infodesk; & free trials of information services. The constantly-updated information will help you understand employer obligations & legal requirements, & stay updated with Canadian federal, provincial & territorial employment legislation.
If you have a FedEx account, simply enroll in this program through the dedicated FedEx webpage that can be found at the member link If not, see the member benefit page for a link to do so. View FedEx services at www.fedex.ca.
Discounts on your document needs– now at a distance Exclusive RVDA members pricing at all Canadian FedEx OfficeTM locations on copying; 25% off other services; and free shipping, where available. Find local locations at www.fedexoffice.ca/locate, or order services online. Visit the member benefit link for the Preferred Customer Number and discount card. A Quick Reference Guide can be found on the member benefits page.
Discounts on tools and Equipment
Substantial savings on UPS services Preferred pricing with UPS for Canada-wide, USA and other destinations for expedited and standard services via Wholesale International Couriers and Freight Forwarders through UPS’ website. Visit the member link above for contact information to set up an account.
A broad array of products at very competitive prices in over a dozen Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) categories, with two discount structures – based on national volume and on catalogue prices. Inventory at each branch location is tailored specifically to the local market. For a complete list of products available, a credit application form to sign up for an account, & a contact for complete details on this program, click here.
Petro-Canada SuperPass Credit Card Discount
Discounts on promotional products
with use of the Petro-Canada SuperPass credit card, members of Explorer RV Club & RVDA of Canada can realize significant savings, convenience, control & security.
Volume-based preferred pricing on a wide range of promotional products in over 700 categories. Imago Marketing is able to distribute to all locations across Canada Visit the member link above for the member code. For more information, contact Jessie Lo at jlo@imagomarketing.com or 604.304.6246.
Click here for an information / application form & contact information,
Discounts on Emergency and Standard First Aid
St. John Ambulance
Preferential pricing for First Aid Certification with AED (defibrillation), & many more courses; and a 10% discount on all First Aid products and supplies, where applicable. Check class availability online. Find contact information for registration and links to classes / programs at the member benefit page.
Marks: Discounts (in-store) on select workwear 10% discount on the numerous items listed on our member program card, including work clothing, gloves, belts, winter and safety accessories and CSAApproved Footwear. Show your card at the check-out counter
Discounts on Dale Carnegie Training programs 10% discount off local pricing for any Dale Carnegie Training program. Contact your local training office for class details / dates, or find an office near you. Download &
February 2017
Page 14
RV National News RV Shipments in 2016 Were the Highest in 40 Years Wholesale shipments to retailers of all recreational vehicles in December totaled 32,970 units, pushing the industry to a 40-year high, according to RVIA. For 2016, total RV shipments climbed to 430,691 units,15 percent ahead of 2015. The year also marked the seventh consecutive annual increase in RV shipments since the end of the Great Recession. Type C motorhomes had the largest percentage gain in 2016. That segment rose 26.8 percent and accounted for 27,981 of all units shipped. Type A motorhomes had a gain of 3.3 percent with 22,673 units shipped. Van campers (Type B) shipments rose 24.1 percent in 2016. Van campers accounted for 4,087 units shipped. The largest volume of RVs shipped continues to be in the towable sector. In 2016, some 282,250 travel trailers, including fifth wheels, were shipped.
RV Professional Certification Week is March 12-18 Recognize your certified employees and encourage others to begin the certification process during RV Professional Certification Week, slated for March 12-18. The RVDA-RVIA Tech Certification Program and the RV Learning Center have programs for technicians, service and parts managers, service writers/advisors, parts specialists, and warranty administrators. “This week is about recognizing your certified professionals by celebrating their achievements and encouraging others to begin the process," says RVDA President Phil Ingrassia. The Mike Molino RV Learning Center offers certification for the five fixed-operations positions. Dealers can learn more about these certifications and other training opportunities for fixed-ops staff on the center's website. The RVDA-RVIA RV Service Technician Certification Program identifies service professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and ability to satisfy established standards in RV diagnostic and repair procedures. Technicians begin with the Registered Technician test and, if successful, can move up to take the Certified Technician exam. Technician certification and training information is available online at http://www.rvtechnician.com/.
Source : RV Executive Today Online
News from RVDA Canada Newsletter Editorial Staff The RVDA of Canada Member Newsletter is produced and distributed through the national association office : RVDA of Canada, Richmond BC For Inquiries please contact us at: #145 – Coppersmith Way Richmond, BC V7A 5J9 Ph: (604) 718-6325 Fax: (604) 204-0154 www.rvda.ca powered by rvhotlinecanada.com Emails : Eleonore Hamm, eleonore_hamm@rvda.ca Anita Lien, anital@rvda.ca Amee Inocencio, ainocencio@rvda.ca
Post your Positions at
www.RVCareers.ca
If you have a job opening you would like to post go to www.RVCareers.ca, click on the RV Education & Careers link – member side of www.rvda.ca. For more information on recruitment program, contact the national offices at 604.718.6325 or news@rvda.ca.
WWW.BUYLOCALRV.CA RVDA of Canada’s “BUY LOCAL” campaign promotes “Buy your RV close to home. It’s better in the long haul, to consumers. We encourage you to download a copy of brochure available at the member’s website.
RVDA of Canada Mission Statement: The RVDA of Canada is a national federation which exists to protect and promote the interests and welfare of RV Dealers across Canada in order to enable the industry to maximize its potential.
A website for everything RV Careers!
It’s been 2 years since we launched the RV Careers site! But, have you heard about it? As the name suggests, “RV Careers” site contains information about career opportunities in the RV industry. This site contains trade-related and education/training opportunities for those already working in the industry as well as information for those looking to learn more about the RV service technician trade and how to participate in an apprenticeship. When you visit the site, the first thing that should jump out at you or anyone is “jobs.” And, the call-toaction would be to see what jobs are available and to look deeper for the job and training requirements. Newly added event and news listing will keep you and your staff up to date on training and industry events and the latest RVDA and industry news. You have full control of your job postings! You can add, edit or remove your job posting whenever you like. You will be able to receive job applications via e-mail. Before this listing expires (in 45 days), you will be notified to either update or delete the posting. To post a job, simply go to the employers tab and log in using your RVDA of Canada user name and password. Contact RVDA of Canada at 604-718-6325 or e-mail if you do not have this information. If you currently work in sales, parts, or service, you will want to visit the Education page. There are training and educational programs for technicians, parts/service management programs, sales, marketing and F&I programs, administration/accounting programs and awards available. For apprentices and anyone wishing to become an apprentice, detailed information can be found on the Become an apprentice page. There are many programs such as youth and pre-apprenticeship where high school students can get practical work experience. If there isn’t one in your area, there’s information available under the Employer page on how to start and implement your own apprenticeship program. There are many financial incentives for both apprentices and employers to participate in an apprenticeship as well as assistance from Provincial and Federal governments and your local RVDA. On the financial incentive page, it lists numerous benefits for apprentices to participate in an apprenticeship and for employers to hire apprentices. There are numerous Federal, Provincial and RVDA Financial assistance programs such as bursaries and grants. If you have any suggestions or comments about how we can improve the site, please e-mail us or comment on the RV Careers Facebook page!