JustSewSimple Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 How many of you has signed up for technical training? Dawn had mentioned folks getting certified to repair machines out in the field. I just wondered if any of you were doing that and trying to decide if I'd like to do it as well. It will end up costing a lot of money to be trained if you live far away as I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I said that I was interested but waiting on more info. It would be expensive for me also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I have signed up to attend, as well - Dawn has said that is a priority for this year, to get the course going. I hope that APQS will keep our cost for the course as low as possible, since we will eventually (hopefully) be taking up some of the backlog now being seen in the service/support department. And we will be the first wave of support in the field - this will make APQS look good. The airfare and hotel won't be cheap, but the investment in our ability to maintain our machines - and troubleshoot in the field, saving quilters the expense of shipping their head to Iowa - is well worth it, in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirley J Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 If you buy and APQS - can you sign your husband up for it? Mine is a wiz on mechanics and understands so much more than I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-Jane Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I'm sleep'in the car!! LOL Has anyone heard any dates yet??--grasshopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Sylvia: I'm on the list!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I contacted dawn directly and was told that the certified tech was in its incubation stage. She is to let me know more later as a class develops for certified training. It is my understanding that the maintenance class is different from the tech class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydids Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Originally posted by sagebrushquilter It is my understanding that the maintenance class is different from the tech class. Yes, it is much more than the maintenance class. In one of our Sales rep calls, it was discussed. It is to certify one to be a repair technician in the field. I believe they said it would be 1 to 2 weeks of training and you must pass the certification in order to even qualify as a tech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Thanks patty...that's what I assumed. There are no dates set for this class either. Dawn is to get back to me when it becomes something more than an "infant". Incubator stage is what she called it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 1 -2 weeks!!!!! and then a test!!!!! I might not be smart enough to do this. I know I can't afford a hotel room for that long. Those extended stay hotels are not as expensive, however. I'd love to know enough to fix machines but I was also thinking.........we'd need to own extra machine parts to be able to replace failed parts. It could be expensive to be in the business. Still, I'd like to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Sylvia, you can always start with the 2-day Maintenance Class, taught at the factory in Carroll. It's the only training most of us reps have had on the technical side, other than what we've learned in the field. And there's no requirement that you get "certified" before you head out and fix machines, so start with 'baby steps," take the Maintenance Class (which is open to anyone, owner or not, who is interested enough to come and take it) and don't worry about the 1-2 week certification class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Barb, I have thought about that but it would cost me around $1300 to take that 2 day class. That seems like bunches to me. I have to see where I stand after taxes get done with me! Airfare is a killer diller. Too bad they can't farm these maintence classes out to dealer's locations. I can go to Baton Rouge or to Niceville even without a map. (Well, I would use that B**ch on the windshield!) doesn't that sound yummy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-Jane Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Maybe we could get some of those Yurt makers and some old army cots and have a parking lot jamboree! Sylvia can bring the crawdad's. My brain hurts--grasshopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Hi Everyone, I'm glad you all love your machines and want to learn how to dissect them and put them back together! This program we're developing is open to husbands, sales reps, and anyone else interested in getting in-depth training and providing a service to others in your area. This will definitey be a more "intense" training than the two-day maintenance class we offer periodically at the factory, or the one-day class Amy teaches at large quilt shows. We know how hard it is for you to part with your babies for very long, and sending them back to their birthplace can put you through separation anxiety! That's why we want to develop a network of individuals who can supplement our in-house service team and provide great support more locally for our customers. That being said, it is still in the developmental stage. We need to write a curriculum, develop protocols for maintenance, etc. My priority is to make this happen in 2011 (at least for a small inaugural class of technicians). There may be some "continuing education" courses down the road as well. While Amy and I have tentatively set the first week of August as the possible training week, that is by no means etched in stone, so don't buy an airline ticket yet! We still have lots of work to do before that happens, and we may need to push the date farther into the year. I am keeping a master list of anyone who has even remotely expressed interest in the certified tech program, and will send out emails to the entire group once I have anything to report. You are always welcome to share your ideas and input with me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon M Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 This sounds like an awesome idea... although not interested in taking the course myself, I would love to see a certiified tech in Canada. I am really wishing I would have sprung for the quilt glide when I first bought my Millie, but the thought of sending her back to Iowa, and going through the hassle of customs clearance is more than I want to deal with. If installing Glide is something a tech could do, I'd be willing to send my baby to ....oh, say... Edmonton.... Matt, are you out there??? ;) We really really need somebody in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Nooooooo, Dawn, say it ain't so!!!:o:o I so want to be in that class, but my son is getting married August 13 - and it's not worth my life to miss the runup to that event! I've got my fingers (and toes and all other body parts) crossed that the class ISN'T in August. But if it has to be, then sign me up for the very next one...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Not good for me it will still be hurricane season, so it's impossible for me as an Emergency Manager to leave the coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb2bie Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Connie, will you be at the meetings in Alexandria VA the end of April? My DH is Emergency Manager for U of Mich hospitals and I am coming with him to the meetings. I plan to see a couple quilt shops while he is working They are at the Crystal Mariott I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThreads Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 I would be interested as well. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kloar Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 I would be interested too. As far as August, my army husband is going to Korea for the month so I can't leave home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gail O Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 I would be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted March 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Wishful thinking: 1. I could get several people to ride with me and share gas expenses. 2. Dave finds that yurt and army cots ...no, forget the cots, I have a blow up bed. 3. Classes are free 4. Crawdads go down in price Then I can afford it!!!!;) Dave, right now the crawdads are almost as expensive as buying a new machine!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-Jane Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Oh no!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cblevins Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Dawn, I am interested!!! If my husband and I both did it, the trip might not be too bad financially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilted charm Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Dawn, I would be interested, because it would be nice to have someone all the way down here in Texas that could do something with the problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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