Encon’s Training Director Instructs at the 2nd Annual Gate Operator Installation School

Encon’s Training Director, Tim Nordstrom, was one of ten industry veterans invited to instruct at this second Gate Operator Installation School (GOIS) held at the Tulsa Technology Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 5-10, 2008.

This school is the only one of its kind in the gate operator industry. It provides dealers with varying skill levels from across the nation to gain hands-on experience and training on how to properly and safely install a gate operator. According to Nordstrom, “During one week, a person who has never installed an operator will learn how, and a person who has installed hundreds of operators, will learn how to install one better. Every attendee, regardless of previous experience, will walk away from the GOIS with valuable knowledge and beneficial tips.”

The American Fence Association sponsored school is designed to provide training and education on all subject matters related to gate operator installation. This year the GOIS covered the following topics: UL 325, ASTM F2200, Safety, Types of Gates and Operators, Basics of Operators, Gate Operator Accessories, Gate Operator Installation, Electrical and Vehicle Detectors. Nordstrom provided instruction on five of the nine chapters including UL325 and ASTM F2200 standards, types of gate openers, electrical and “in the field” training.

A maximum 64 students were allowed to attend the school. “The limited enrollment insures a low student to teacher ratio and allowed for more direct interaction,” Nordstrom explained. After arriving, attendees were divided into eight groups of eight. “The group format helped foster a team atmosphere and a comfortable learning environment” added Nordstrom. The diversity of the participants also contributed to the learning environment. “There was a wide range of experience amongst the groups ranging from people who had never touched an operator to those who have been installing for years. The diversity of each group exposed the students and instructors to a variety of perspectives and installation issues.”

One student expressed his appreciation by saying, “There is really nothing like this in the industry. I have over 30 years of experience and I learned a lot of new things by being here.” One of the instructors, Phillip Doyle of Volunteer Fence agreed, “You will learn as much from the 63 other students as you will from the 10 instructors.”

While instruction officially took place from 8:00am to 5:15pm, attendees were able to ask the instructors questions at any point during the day, beginning with the 6:30am breakfast. In addition, new this year, the school added a voluntary roundtable discussion. Each instructor sat at a table and attendees could rotate to the table of their choice for an engaging Q & A session, while indulging on pizza provided by the school. For over two hours, students were allowed to ask any question or broach any subject. According to Nordstrom, “The attendees loved the open, casual forum of the roundtable discussion. Overall, there was a high level of dedication from this year’s attendees. The students asked pertinent questions and I often saw them reviewing course content during down times”, Nordstrom said.

Breakfast

Classroom

Group

Classroom

Outside

Field Training

Tim Nordstrom

The last two days were focused on field training. With the guidance of one of the instructors, every group participated in the installation of a gate operator and relevant accessories. Students were taught how to bolt down an operator, the specifics of wiring, and the installation of accessories including in-ground loops and photo beams.

The overall curriculum at the GOIS is structured around the Gate Operator Installer Certification exam which is administered by the Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation (IDEA). Students were given the opportunity to take the certification test on the final day. The students who opted to take the exam and passed are now part of a small and elite group of “Certified Automated Gate Operator Installers”.

All the instructors took the exam before the school began. Nordstrom and the remaining instructors all passed. Nordstrom is the first Encon employee to become certified. Encon has made plans to have all remaining ten technical sales representatives tested and certified by Spring 2009.

Jeff Harris, Encon General Manager, says “Now that our industry has a certification process accredited by the established and reputable IDEA, quality companies and dealers can and should become certified. By implementing a nationwide standard, superior companies are validated and recognized in our industry. Encon has always placed a huge emphasis on offering quality products and the highest level of service and knowledge. It seems only natural for our technical sales team to become one of the first completely certified companies in the industry.”

“Any installing professional can take the certification exam. To become certified, you must pass the exam and have at least two years of industry experience. Regardless of whether or not you want to become a certified gate operator installer, the GOIS is an invaluable experience for all installing professionals in our industry,” Nordstrom said. Another attendee agreed by saying, “My Company does not have the time or manpower to train me. You can’t put a price on the knowledge and skills that I learned at the GOIS that I can now use out in the field. ”

Encon Electronics is a leading access control distributor in the gate and door operator industry. Tim Nordstrom is the Training Director for Encon and one of the instructors at the Gate Operator Installation School. For more about Encon Electronics, please contact Tim at 800-782-5598 or visit our web site at www.enconelectronics.com