Starting this fall, aquatics professionals can attend classes at what industry officials hope will be the first of many nationwide technical schools.
The Foundation for Pool & Spa Industry Education released its first class schedule for the 2006-2007 school year at its Sacramento, Calif., location. The schedule includes the National Swimming Pool Foundation?s CPO course, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals? training and certification programs, and even manufacturer-led training.
The independent organization aims to establish brick-and-mortar education centers around the nation. Sacramento?s $1 million site is a high-tech learning and office complex with multimedia presentation capability, video conferencing, student computer learning stations and Internet broadcasting for online instruction.
Executive Director Michael Orr wants to establish a two-year Associate of Science Aquatic Technical degree at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. The program would include APSP certification courses, NSPF?s CPO and CPO instructor classes, more than 200 hours of manufacturer instruction and 150 hours on the job.
Orr hopes to start the college program by autumn 2007. FPSIE then will try to incorporate it throughout California. From there, the California college system may help market the degree throughout the United States, Orr said.
FPSIE plans to offer online courses next year. Participants would still have to appear in person to register, do lab work and take supervised tests. For more information about FPSIE?s schedule or DVD, go to http://fpsie.org.
