Gadsden Technical Institute’s Power Equipment Technologies instructor David McPhaul and three students recently participated in the 2019 ECHO / Shindaiwa Technical Service School at the Holiday Inn in Tallahassee.
For one day, the hotel’s conference rooms were converted into a teaching lab, as participants disassembled and reassembled two-stroke engines. The purpose of the school was to enhance technicians’ general engine diagnostics and repair skills, as well teach proper service procedures for ECHO and Shindaiwa high performance two-stroke engines.
ECHO and Shindaiwa are popular commercial brands that manufacturelawn and outdoor power equipment like trimmers, chainsaws and blowers.
ECHO Service Instructor Andrew R. Sadlon led the classes. Salon is also senior director of technical service for Florida Outdoor Equipment in Orlando.
Attending and completing the ECHO / Shindaiwa Technical Service School plays a major factor in the accreditation process the program must undergo every five years, according to Gadsden Technical Institute officials.
Sadlon visited Gadsden Technical Institute in April 2018 to evaluate the school’s Power Equipment Technologies program. As a result of the successful evaluation, Gadsden Technical Institute earned the prestigious accreditation from the Equipment and Engine Training Council.
According to the council’s website, the Equipment & Engine Training Council is a nonprofit association that aims to address the shortage of qualified technicians in the outdoor power equipment industry.
Gadsden Technical Institute is the only nationally recognized Equipment & Engine Training Council–accredited program in the state, according to school officials. The distinction gives Gadsden Tech dealer recognition and support, among other perks, and places Power Equipment Technologies grads in a uniquely beneficial and competitive position when entering the job market.
Students are exposed to area distributors and dealers, which expands the scope of the program and provides a positive impact in community business, school officials said. Because of local distributor and dealer contact, students who graduate from the program as certified and qualified technicians have a better opportunity for employment than most, officials added.
For more information about the Power Equipment Technologies program at Gadsden Technical Institute contact McPhaul at (850) 875-8324.
Special to The Herald
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