SACRAMENTO, Calif — Contractor University, a division of Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA), announced the addition of an online technical training program to its collection of member benefits. Through a partnership with Interplay Learning, a digital and virtual reality technical training platform for the essential skilled trades, Contractor University now adds a technical training option to its membership offerings.

For years, Contractor University powered by EGIA has offered business development educational resources, covering a broad range of topics —  such as sales, pricing, marketing and lead generation, tech communications, service agreements, and many others — accessible through online classes, virtual and in-person workshops, conferences, and more. For the first time ever, technical training now joins that list of offerings.

For one price per user, Contractor University member companies can add-on access to technical training for their employees on dozens of subjects in their member dashboard on MyContractorUniversity.com. Courses are delivered in both 2D and 3D simulations on computers and mobile devices, as well as in immersive 3D on virtual reality headsets. This eliminates substantial travel, time, cost, as well as other logistical and safety hurdles encountered with traditional in-person training programs, while still allowing a “hands-on” experience. With curriculum available for residential and commercial HVAC, solar, plumbing, electrical, multi-family maintenance, and many more, Contractor University technical training offers users comprehensive online and streaming training systems on every topic needed to brush up on existing skills or build a new technician from the ground up. In addition, much of the content qualifies for CEU credits toward many of the most prominent certification programs.

“Given the requests from our members over the years, adding a technical training option to our online education and training platform is the logical next step to serve more contractors,” said Bruce Matulich, CEO and executive director of EGIA. “Partnering with Interplay gives our members access to some of the best technical training in the industry with an easy integration that maintains the simplicity of our ‘one-stop-shop’ Contractor University member dashboard. Due to the industry’s ongoing workforce shortage, contractors are increasingly forced to hire inexperienced workers based on attitude, and then teach them aptitude; so a reliable, affordable technical training experience has never been more important to growing a successful contracting business."

“We’re excited to partner with EGIA and we believe Contractor University will be a great opportunity for more home services contractors to benefit from both our immersive experience and proven learning methodology,” said Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning. “With our advanced technology and EGIA’s industry-leading education and training platform, we have the opportunity to significantly close the skills gap.”

Contractor University’s technical training program is now live and three HVAC courses are available free of charge for all Contractor University members, as well as a Welcome Assessment that will establish users’ baseline knowledge and identify areas on which to focus. Visit the website to explore the entire catalog of technical training courses and to learn more about membership.