Hershey Industry Day: Recruiting the Next Generation
A rainbow greeted visitors to Industry Day at the Hershey Show. (Photos: Travis Pryor)
The RVShop.com exhibit featured a cutout of Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation.
HERSHEY, Pa. – A bright rainbow lit up the sky west of the Giant Center Tuesday (Sept. 13) morning as early-bird industry attendees trickled into the Hershey Show at the Giant Center.
Was that a good sign for the Hershey Show, the first retail day being today, and the industry at large over the next few months?
That remains to be seen for the Pennsylvania RV & Camping Association (PRVCA), sponsor of the Hershey Show, whose staff hosted high school students for tours during the show on Tuesday – industry day — to allow them to learn more about careers at RV dealerships, manufacturers and suppliers.
The industry is facing a huge demand for technicians and other positions due to the strong interest in camping and RVing.
Industry leaders talked to the groups for five to 10 minutes with stops that included Airxcel Inc., Cummins Inc., Demco Inc., Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. and MORryde International Inc.
James Lubomski, PRVCA’s education director, said about 75 students were in attendance and more had signed up but were unable to attend.
“Shippensburg High School brought the largest group, and they came with about 30,” Lubomski told RVBusiness. “This year we invited high schools that, with our help, are incorporating RVTI (RV Technical Institute) Level 1 coursework. So, kids that are interested in getting into that are getting a start on certification.”
Lubomski said he was pleased with the students’ reactions not only to the information about education, but especially about the fact that the students didn’t realize they could easily become gainfully employed with some of the skills they already possess.
He said many had just thought about jobs with electronics shops or similar businesses until they saw some of the tasks that RV technicians handle on a daily basis.
The NeXus Verrado
“I was a teacher and instructor before and that was the first time I saw that many kids get that excited about it,” said Lubomski, adding that his goal would be to get 25 or 30 students in the program, which is open to 9th to 12th graders, to submit applications with RV-related companies for next year’s summer work that could gain them credits.
“My background is in career tech education and I know they’re always looking for certification,” he said. “I learned I could get the RVTI into the schools so I just kind of reached out and was hopeful that I might have one or two that were interested. But those that I’ve contacted were overwhelmingly excited about the prospects.”
Students participating in the tours were from Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center, Reading-Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center and Shippensburg High School. “This is a great opportunity for the RV industry to showcase the many career opportunities available,” said PRVCA Executive Director Heather Leach. “As the next generation of students prepares to graduate and enter the workforce, it’s important to let them know that the industry has a lot of viable career paths where they can utilize their technical skills and continue to learn and grow.”
And while industry veterans also underwent training inside and outside the Giant Center, vendor training sessions filled classrooms around the arena and dealership representatives underwent sales training from manufacturers outside on the lot.
The Regency Ultra Brougham 25UL
Meanwhile, OEMs also unveiled some of their 2023 models, with the theme seemingly being getting propane out of camping. A number of manufacturers showed vehicles that either had no generators or had generators connected to their vehicles’ power sources to recharge a set of lithium-ion batteries.
One of the more impressive examples was the Regency RV Ultra Brougham 25UL, which has completely eliminated propane using a 3,000-watt inverter in order to charge three 100-amp-hour lithium batteries. It also relies on a 280-amp second alternator to charge the entire system while the vehicle is driving.
Regency RV’s Ultra Brougham 25UL Class B+ motorhome, built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis carries an MSRP of $220,000.
NeXus RV President Claude Donati showed off a first-of-its-kind Verrado Class C on a Chevrolet Silverado 5500 chassis. Donati said the Verrado boasts the power and strength of a Chevy work truck, but features extras such as the OnStar safety system that puts drivers in instant contact with help in case of emergencies. The 28-foot Verrado C-body, he points out, also is short enough to be used for camping in state parks and other places with smaller camping spots.
Verrado’s MSRP is $159,000 to $169,000, depending on options.
Source: https://rvbusiness.com/hershey-industry-day-recruiting-the-next-generation/
