Joe Howard
Technical Education Committee Member
Good Fruit Electric, LLC
Like many EASA member service centers, Good Fruit Electric, LLC has learned that growth and sustainability depend on one thing: finding good people and helping them become productive quickly. Over the years, we’ve refined how we recruit and train new team members, but the process became far more effective when EASA introduced its learning management system, the Online Learning Center. We turned to the General Learning Library to help one rookie technician go from zero experience to making a real impact on the floor.
The Challenge
In our market, finding experienced technicians had become nearly impossible. So, we took a different approach — hiring a candidate with the right attitude but no background in the industry. Like many small service centers, we didn’t have a formal training program. Our process was simple: the lead technician would demonstrate a task, then observe and coach as the new hire tried it. It worked, but it was slow, inconsistent and carried real safety risks. At the same time, we needed to stay productive and maintain our quality standards. That’s when we turned to EASA — and specifically, the General Learning Library — to bring structure and safety to our training process.
The Approach
We began by reviewing the available training modules in EASA’s Online Learning Center and quickly realized how much value it offered. Like most service centers, our training process starts with safety. That’s why the first eLearning course we assign is the EASA Vo-Tech Volume 1: Safety. Once our new hire completes the safety modules, we know they have the foundation to work safely and confidently.
Below is a sample of the additional Safety and Foundational Training Modules we use during the first week of training:
| Module Title |
Estimated Duration |
| Back Safety in Industrial Environments |
25–35 minutes |
| Chemical Hazards – OSHA’s Communication Standard |
3 hours |
| Forklift Safety: Industrial Counterbalance Lift Trucks |
25–35 minutes |
| Forklift/Powered Industrial Truck Safety |
25–35 minutes |
| Hand and Power Tool Safety |
25–35 minutes |
| Hazard Recognition |
25–35 minutes |
| Materials Handling Safety |
25–35 minutes |
| Rigging Safety |
25–35 minutes |
| Safe Lifting |
25–35 minutes |
| Safety Awareness for New Employees |
25–35 minutes |
| Key Components of Critical Thinking |
20 minutes |
After establishing a safety foundation, we move into technical fundamentals. The sections we’ve found most helpful are Fundamentals of DC Operation and Repair (Section 1), Mechanical Repair Fundamentals and Principles of Medium & Large AC Motors (Section 4). These courses introduce the key components of motors and their terminology, creating a common language across our team. That shared vocabulary makes the lead technician’s demonstrations and coaching far more effective because our new hire now understands what’s being explained in real time.
We also implemented a 30/60/90-day check-in process to track progress and reinforce accountability. Within the first month, we noticed stronger engagement and faster buy-in to our service center standards. By the 90-day mark, we were confident enough in the results to invest further in EASA’s Electrical Repair Technician (ERT) Certificate program — continuing the path from rookie to skilled technician.
The Results
We began seeing results almost immediately. Safe work practices were evident from day one, and since the inception of this program, we’ve had zero OSHA-recordable incidents. Beyond safety, we also saw clear improvements in labor efficiency. By the 60-day mark, our new technician was confidently performing disassembly and inspections on basic motors.
During the 90-day check-in, his confidence and understanding had grown noticeably. The structured approach also boosted morale by giving our lead technician a clearer framework for training and some much-needed support. He even commented that working with a new hire who already understood the terminology made the process far smoother and more enjoyable.
This experience proved to our entire team that bringing new people into the trade doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right tools and structure, it can be safe, efficient and rewarding for everyone involved.
The Takeaway
Looking back, utilizing the EASA Online Learning Center has given our team the tools and confidence to hire and develop new technicians successfully. I strongly encourage other members to explore this resource — the more we use it, the stronger our industry becomes. I’m excited to see how EASA’s Online Learning Center continues to shape the next generation of skilled, safety-minded technicians.
Related Reference and Training Materials
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