Elevator Industry Safety Net

Providing training and technical education for the elevator workplace

by Lisa M. Casler

Over the last 15 years, one of the most common issues facing all elevator companies has been the difficulty of finding well trained and productive workers. It’s no secret that labor shortages have been affecting all trades and manufacturing.

Many business leaders have struggled with the cost and administrative burden of delivering a full-time education program that allows for the certification and licensing of technicians and tradesmen.

One excuse Bobby Schaeffer, CEO of the Elevator Learning Center (ELC), said he always hears is, “What if I train them and they leave?” His response, “What if you don’t train them and they stay?” He adds:  

“When the data is collected and the return on investment is calculated, it’s always a minimum of a 5:1 ratio. For every US$10,000 invested in training, you should receive a US$50,000 return over a one-to-two-year period. There is just no better way to add to a company’s bottom line than to have a well-trained and productive staff.”

The ELC was originally founded in 2018 to solve some of these issues and now has a new partnership with American Elevator Group (AEG) to deliver its goal of providing safety training and technical education for the elevator workplace.

“It’s been a busy year,” said Alissa Saez, education administrator of the ELC. “We are constantly changing and updating our systems to make the education process easier and the learning platform more user friendly for our members.”

After moving its training center to a new location in Long Island City in 2021, the center has managed to almost double its participants in the first year. In January 2022, the ELC began offering its services to the elevator industry as a whole.  

The new fall semester of candidate training, which uses the Certified Elevator Technician (CET®) program for its core curriculum, now has 198 students from 25 different companies being trained by eight senior-level elevator technicians and supervisors handling the instructor duties using both remote and in-person learning across 13 states.

The newly created ELC system of delivery has allowed students and instructors 24/7 access to learning tools, class recordings and supplemental content, such as articles and videos for students to continue the learning process between structured class time and hands-on skill reviews. The delivery platform lets students and instructors communicate follow-up questions and provide additional tutoring daily.

Schaeffer noted: 

“It’s amazing to sit in and watch these seasoned techs/instructors interact with the candidates, giving them real life examples of the best practices and how to overcome the daily obstacles. I think the instructors get as much out of it as do the candidates.” 

The ELC’s focus over the past year has been on building services that can eliminate the pain points of delivering education to a company’s employees by streamlining the different processes needed to administer a quality training program.

Candidate program services include:

• Managing the application filing process for CET Candidate, AET Designation and CET Certification Exam
• Pre-qualification testing to determine entry level into the program 
• One-on-one review of test results with the director of Education
• Program guidance and recommended remedial education
• Work with potential candidates to credential diplomas and previous education certificates
• Liaison with National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) and Elevator World, Inc.
• Drop ship coursebooks
• Provide and/or designate a CET-S to the candidate locally and regionally
• Prepare students for success with pre-program orientation and platform training
• Pre-qualified instructors who are well versed in the educational content being delivered
• Offer BOTH in-person and remote instruction of the NAEC CET Education Program
• Daily access to instructors for follow-up and tutoring sessions
• 24/7 access to class recordings, supplemental materials and learning aids
• Record-keeping of completed courses and certificate issuance for apprenticeship
• New York State (NYS)-approved apprenticeship related instruction provider (for NYS and NYC licensing) 
• LMS system notifications for testing and completion of hands-on training milestones
• Registered proctors needed for students to sit for unit tests and exams
• All-access to training center as necessary to complete skills training
• Multiple training simulators and shaftway for ground-up installation training

Hands-on skill assessments are scheduled both locally and regionally with support from the ELC by the shipping of training aids and providing CET-S supervisors the ability to perform skills review and assessment sign off.

These services can be provided for one easy annual fee that will allow you to minimize your burden of delivering quality education to field employees. ELC’s administrative staff will assist with the entire process of organizing the application process and helping order the books needed. (NAEC application fees and program books are paid directly by the member or business unit and are not included in the annual cost.)

Mobile Safety Training Unit

One of the most unique services the ELC provides is Mobile Safety Training using a fully outfitted and stocked vehicle that allows training to come to you when you can’t make it to the training center.  

The mobile unit can be delivered on an as-needed basis. Services include a certificated Safe 9 program that includes 4 h of training on best practices working in and around an elevator. The unit is stocked with new safety equipment for easy replacement when existing damaged or worn equipment needs to be taken out of service.

The “Keep Safe” program allows delivery of on-site safety audits for companies that may struggle to get timely audits performed on a regular basis. Training can also include job hazard analysis for project supervisors and mechanics to become aware of the specific hazards on their site.

Continuing Education and License Renewal Program

Since most accredited programs and states with licensing regulations require annual continuing education, the training does not end after a person has completed their education to become a Certified Elevator Technician or a licensed mechanic.

In some instances, licensing renewal is required every two years but still mandates 8 h per year, which means you will need 16 h of continuing education before you can renew your license. “Don’t wait until the last minute,” Schaeffer said. “It’s much easier to get access to quality education if you keep active on an annual basis.” Waiting until the last month before renewal might limit availability to the approved education needed. 

The ELC has continued to expand its educational offerings with approved continuing education for both certification and licensing. “New course content is being added monthly,” said Carl Alongis, director of Education for the ELC. To date, the ELC has received approval for more than 70 h of seminar-based training delivered exclusively by the ELC, which exceeds its goal of 30 h of new content each year.

Course content includes sequence of operation, brake adjustment and maintenance, electronics and solid-state components, valve installation and maintenance, emergency communications, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, NYC SST Training, 3M fall protection, Alimak and many other technical and safety training programs 

“Our ‘controller series’ training hosts individual controller and drive manufacturers on a monthly basis to assist with simulator training for each manufacturer that wishes to deliver their education regionally,” Alongis said. In July, the first manufacturer Spanish language training was completed in the south Florida region. Other Spanish-speaking classes are currently scheduled as re-certification and licensing renewal heats up at year end. Training is currently offered on seven different control and drive types with the hope to add at least three more by early 2023. 

Regional seminars delivered in 2022 include Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York. The ELC has provided continuing education certificates to more than 300 technicians since January. 

Technicians can sign up with the ELC to access over 100 h of technical and safety training annually for one low subscription fee.

Services included with membership:

• 100-plus h of certificated continuing education and safety training
• OSHA certification training
• Proctor services — QEI and CET certification testing
• Pre-qualification testing and study guidance
• NAEC and state-approved continuing education — technical, code and safety training
• Tracking of certificates, certification and license renewal dates
• Easy access to training center (8-min train from Grand Central #7)
• Access to regional seminars for continuing education credits
• Licensing application and renewal assistance
• NYC SST training
• NYC SST supervisor training
• 3M Fall protection certification training
• Manufacturer training access at NY facility monthly
• Full scale elevator components, training aids and powered control simulators
• Approved NYS continuing education provider 
• Notification system to provide renewal reminders and notices of required continuing education

Individuals can register for specific courses if preferred, but membership is recommended, as everything is included to receive a quality training experience. Automatic notifications for upcoming classes and renewal dates are included, so you never miss an opportunity to learn or miss important deadlines needed to keep your credentials active.

More information on all the programs above can be found at Elevator Learning Center. There is also an easy-to-use calendar of all the education being provided.

Also read: Elevator Safety Training Hits the Road