Thoughts on why IICRC non insurance driven classes and certs are down?

Mikey P

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Ive been asked by some Board members to share my thoughts on why carpet, uph, rugs, odor, color etc, (non insurance mandatory) courses are down dramatically.

my replies have been:


-Very few Millennials are applying to jobs that involve actual work. Especially ones that involve dealing with piss, shit and selling to mother figures.

-Those that do, take two days to figure out that there are 1000's of other ways to make $16 an hour.

- A few companies have enough "culture", higher end client bases and can pay $20 + an hour to attract and keep a few hard workers around, but are most likely being trained in house (YTU, *** etc) for the first two years to prove commitment.

-Most IICRC teachers can not keep millennials awake and involved so the reputation of the classes/cert suffer badly. Tom Cermak and Shawn B are the only two that bring a good amount of props to class from what I can see.
The IICRC needs to set up learning centers around the country, Vegas, Chicago, Dallas, East Coast that can be used by various teachers. These centers need to be homes or simulated homes that have all flooring and furnishing options installed, showers, counters, rugs, pet urine, mdf, oxy bleach stains, fume fading, delamination, corn rowing, soil filtration, spotter residue etc all waiting for the students. So far they have left this up to the schools, who have failed to pull it off, with the exception of a few Stone schools, who are not involved with the IICRC, yet...

- Provide continuing value to being a certified Techs or Firms. Firms should get access to (all) online standards as well as cheap online classes and testing for unproven new hires, Owner Op/techs should get serious discounts and BOTH should get my Consumer Info App.



What do you got?
 
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Nomad74

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For 1, they can't seem to get the ID card out to people. I said screw it after calling three times and getting promised it would be sent. So I just threw up my hands. Also, they really don't have public recognition. I've only been asked once if I was IICRC certified and I think that was being asked by a competitor that was ghosting me. I also know that having to pay a yearly fee to keep your certs pisses off MANY cleaners.

I'm sure under new management they have corrected many of the issues. I really think they need to focus on name recognition for the general public. Once people "Think" IICRC training is of value, so will the cleaners.
 

Mikey P

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For 1, they can't seem to get the ID card out to people. I said screw it after calling three times and getting promised it would be sent. So I just threw up my hands. Also, they really don't have public recognition. I've only been asked once if I was IICRC certified and I think that was being asked by a competitor that was ghosting me. I also know that having to pay a yearly fee to keep your certs pisses off MANY cleaners.

I'm sure under new management they have corrected many of the issues. I really think they need to focus on name recognition for the general public. Once people "Think" IICRC training is of value, so will the cleaners.
How long will you wait to certify the new guy?
 

Cleanworks

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Ive been asked by some Board members to share my thoughts on why carpet, uph, rugs, odor, color etc, (non insurance mandatory) courses are down dramatically.

my replies have been:


-Very few Millennials are applying to jobs that involve actual work. Especially ones that involve dealing with piss, shit and selling to mother figures.

-Those that do, take two days to figure out that there are 1000's of other ways to make $16 an hour.

- A few companies have enough "culture", higher end client bases and can pay $20 + an hour to attract and keep a few hard workers around, but are most likely being trained in house (YTU, *** etc) for the first two years to prove commitment.

-Most IICRC teachers are can not keep millennials awake and involved so the reputation of the classes/cert suffer badly. Tom Cermak and Shawn B are the only two that bring a good amount of props to class from what I can see.
The IICRC needs to set up learning centers around the country, Vegas, Chicago, Dallas, East Coast that can be used by various teachers. These centers need to be homes or simulated homes that have all flooring and furnishing options installed, showers, counters, rugs, pet urine, mdf, oxy bleach stains, fume fading, delamination, corn rowing, soil filtration, spotter residue etc all waiting for the students. So far they have left this up to the schools, who have failed to pull it off, with the exception of a few Stone schools, who are not involved with the IICRC, yet...

- Provide continuing value to being a certified Techs or Firms. Firms should get access to (all) online standards as well as cheap online classes and testing for unproven new hires, Owner Op/techs should get serious discounts and BOTH should get my Consumer Info App.



What do you got?
I have taken many IICRC/IICUC courses. Best overall instructor was Tom Hill in my opinion. Lots of good information but little to no hands on training. The only hands on training was from Ron Toney in an upholstery class, where we saturated a Polyester sofa belonging to the host company and learned to clean with style. A little hands on with some of the spotting courses. The majority of people taking the classes were owner/operators like myself who wanted to improve their knowledge and skills. A few small business owners and occasionally a large company would send several techs so they could claim "certified firm" status. Although I hold multiple certifications, I have let them lapse. I have never received any communication ever from the IICRC suggesting that I renew or take any additional courses. The IICRC has dropped the ball in my opinion and has lost the attention of your everyday carpet cleaner.
 

FredC

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because the idea that getting written into warranty language to strongarm people into courses with little actual value failed once it couldn't be "required'. Obviously it works great when you can essentially force people to do it through a middle man (vendor programs and commercial). Making Mrs. P the middle man was never going to happen especially with the largest companies handling things inhouse which means they aren't advertising/promoting the certifications beyond the occasional footnote which in turn means the little guys are less likely to see the need.


we discussed many of the reasons this would happen when we were talking about offering something similar and I think very little has to do with how cool the classes are or millennial work ethic. They are simply no longer the gate keepers of information and no one is "scared" not to be certified. There is probably also the realization through increased peer interaction that some of these courses aren't likely to add to the bottom line.
 

FredC

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But...


the GM can't provide real hands on, and that what the IICRC needs to capitalize on.


8 track tapes and boring theory is done.


Neither can the IICRC to any real extent and trying to do so will just end up with longer more expensive classes that fewer people take unless it is supplemental.

I think most people that would ever find any real value in the classes already have some hands on in the non-insurance sectors. Probably more than you could offer in any class. The classes that they would take that they don't have prior hands on are the "fringe" classes that are good to have in the toolbox but not are generally not the primary income drivers.



Also we aren't just talking about youtube/google here.




The only real benefit I can see to "training centers" is financing/subsidizing the IICRC real estate portfolio
 
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Nomad74

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How's Skippy doing today?

what are or were his F19 symptoms?
Ryan is doing well. He's over it. He can go back to school on Tuesday. You know what's weird though, a couple of days ago my wife and I both had bad migraines at the same time that Advil didn't touch. I'm wondering if we got it also and since we both got the shot we were protected.
 

Nomad74

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what are or were his F19 symptoms?
It was like a common cold for him. It started with a runny nose, then a little cough, then he just looked tired and worn out. That was it. Never ran a fever, never was achey, never lost his sense of taste and smell. I would have bet money he didn't have the bug. I was really surprised when he came back positive. Candice, Devon, and myself are fine. Ryan is fully recovered. We just need to keep him inside until Tuesday.
I wasn't going to get the vaccine, but we're going to Mexico on vacation so I figured I'd get it to make life easier. Glad I did now. My Baconator loving ass might not have made it.
 

Desk Jockey

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Mike of all your decades in business how long have you been a certified firm? A certified technician?

As mentioned above their is little value in either any more. It's a dated, no longer relevant.

More informative classes are available without the restrictive formats. After all what is the most important a cheesy patch and color copy certificate?
Or the knowledge of how to process the work successfully. Knowledge is powerful yet readily available.

The IICRC is selling encyclopedias. I can't believe nobody saw this coming. I would have thought many years ago someone would have had the foresight to see a decline was on the horizon.


 
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Mikey P

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Mike our of all your decades in business how long have you been a certified firm? A certified technician?

As mentioned above their is little value in either any more. It's a dated, no longer relevant.

More informative classes are available without the restrictive formats. After all what is the most important a cheesy patch and color copy certificate? Or the knowledge of how to process the work successfully. Knowledge is powerful yet readily available.

The IICRC is selling encyclopedias. I can't believe nobody saw this coming. I would have thought many years ago someone would have had the foresight to see a decline was on the horizon.



A new wave is ( hopefully) coming in and hopefully we can fix it rather than reinvent...
 
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Desk Jockey

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A new wave is ( hopefully) coming in and hopefully we can fix it rather than reinvent...
I'm sure it can be done. It would be ashamed to loose it after all the positive it has done for many cleaners.

Paradigm shifts can be a bitch. Things change so fast on how we see and do things.

Look at library's, they must continue evolve or they will be history. Books are dated and that info is more current on the internet.

Change, adapt or fall to the wayside.
 

KevinD

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In a Nutshell judging by all the questions that get asked on Facebook pages which would be answered in the first day of any training class, most newbies entering this business feels that their only education needs to be the internet.
JMHO
 
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Hack Attack

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Whats the motivation to recertify each year?

Your knowledge and experience disappeared because 12 months has passed, and no fatcat clipped the ticket?

In my small corner of the world, insurance companies aren't overly fussed about iicrc due to the inept who are certified
 
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Rob Grady

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Ive been asked by some Board members to share my thoughts on why carpet, uph, rugs, odor, color etc, (non insurance mandatory) courses are down dramatically.

my replies have been:


-Very few Millennials are applying to jobs that involve actual work. Especially ones that involve dealing with piss, shit and selling to mother figures.

-Those that do, take two days to figure out that there are 1000's of other ways to make $16 an hour.

- A few companies have enough "culture", higher end client bases and can pay $20 + an hour to attract and keep a few hard workers around, but are most likely being trained in house (YTU, *** etc) for the first two years to prove commitment.

-Most IICRC teachers are can not keep millennials awake and involved so the reputation of the classes/cert suffer badly. Tom Cermak and Shawn B are the only two that bring a good amount of props to class from what I can see.
The IICRC needs to set up learning centers around the country, Vegas, Chicago, Dallas, East Coast that can be used by various teachers. These centers need to be homes or simulated homes that have all flooring and furnishing options installed, showers, counters, rugs, pet urine, mdf, oxy bleach stains, fume fading, delamination, corn rowing, soil filtration, spotter residue etc all waiting for the students. So far they have left this up to the schools, who have failed to pull it off, with the exception of a few Stone schools, who are not involved with the IICRC, yet...

- Provide continuing value to being a certified Techs or Firms. Firms should get access to (all) online standards as well as cheap online classes and testing for unproven new hires, Owner Op/techs should get serious discounts and BOTH should get my Consumer Info App.



What do you got?
Pipe dreams. How many years out do you see that happening? You would be further off to make ours a skilled trade and have it taught at community colleges, with a ticket at the end of it the same as an electrician or plumber.
But I don't see that happening any earlier than what you have suggested. After a career spanning five decades, we're not further ahead on adopting standards in this trade than when I started.
 

Desk Jockey

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I look at it as I do auto repairs. I want qualified but I also want someone I trust to be good. I'm going to ask others who they use and if he is good. ASE certified really has no value to me.

IICRC Certified, I was and wanted my tech's to be, but more for marketing. Just in the case their might be any perceived value from it.

The thing is so was most of the competition and I don't believe it actually carried any actual weight.
 

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