General Courses

The following courses are currently being offered: (Click on a course to find out more information)

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Technician Customer Interaction Training

The New York Oil Heating Association (NYOHA) has teamed with NORA and ServicEdge’s TechAdvantage to provide sales training sessions for technicians. Help your technicians develop and hone their selling skills, as well as improve day-to-day interactions with your clients. TechAdvantage offers three modules which will help technicians become skilled with customer interaction and understand how to articulate the value proposition of various equipment sales opportunities.

MODULE 1: Being Comfortable with Customer Interaction

MODULE 2: Identifying, Documenting, and Understanding How to Articulate a Value Proposition

MODULE 3: Talking About Your Products and Services, and Creating Valuable Leads

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Customer Service Representative Training

The New York Oil Heating Association (NYOHA) has teamed with NORA and ServicEdge to provide customer service training sessions. Help your customer service representatives develop and hone their skills, as well as improve day-to-day interactions with your clients, easily articulate the value proposition of the company's products and services, and leave every customer with the perception of quality, trust and respect for the organization. ServicEdge offers four modules, which will help customer service representatives become skilled with customer interaction, be more confident when interacting with the client, and generate sales.

MODULE 1: Defining Excellence in Customer Service

MODULE 2: Opening and Closing Calls — Professionally

MODULE 3: Handling Disgruntled Customers or Customer Complaints & Building Trust

MODULE 4: Customer Service Best Practices & Industry Education

Introduction To Oilheat

Basic Service Technician Course

Oilheat Service Technicians can now be nationally certified. In order to be qualified for Bronze Certification you must complete at least 80 hours of classroom training and pass a comprehensive examination.

This introductory course will provide both the basic theory and "hands on" program training needed for the proper development of an oil heat service technician. All attendees will receive NORA'S OILHEAT TECHNICIAN'S MANUAL. Domestic oil burners and oil heating systems will be thoroughly covered in both classroom lectures, as well as in our a fully-equipped, "state-of-the-art" heating lab located right here on Long Island. Review sessions prior to the Bronze Certification examination are also included.

As Seen In Newsday:

"I'm thrilled to be working in the Oilheat industry! I didn't need years of training to get my job; I took the basic course and I was hired. The pay is great, and so are the benefits, health insurance and pension plan. I don't have to invest a fortune in work clothes. I work close to home, and I use my service van to drive to and from work, so I don't need a second car. All in all, you can't beat a job like this for security, income and perks."

- Greg Neway, Fall 2006 Graduate

"I've been in the Oilheat industry for twenty years. I am NORA Gold Certified and I still take continuing education classes to sharpen my skills. In this industry, you always have the opportunity to learn and gain valuable knowledge to help further your career."

- Wayne Lawrence, Instructor, Introduction to Oilheat Class
Wayne currently teaches at an Oilheat Comfort Corp. facility.

What you'll learn:

• Fuels, Combustion and Draft
• Oil Burner Parts: Motors, pumps, pressure regulating valves, nozzles, fans and ignition systems.
• Controls: Operating and limit controls, thermostats, hot water temperature controls, pressure controls, fan and limit controls. Primary controls, double and triple aquastats, relays and water feeders, etc.
• Heating Systems: Steam, hot water, warm air.
• Combustion Chamber: Sizing, materials, construction, pre-cast chambers, insulating and refractory types.
• Installation of Tanks and Piping: Above-ground and buried tanks, gravity and suction systems, one and two pipe systems, fill and vent lines.
• Wiring Control Systems
• Oil Burner Servicing and Troubleshooting
• Combustion and Efficiency Testing: CO2, draft, combustion, smoke readings, Use of combustion testing equipment.

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NORA Gold Certification

The Gold Certification is for technicians to move beyond basic installation and repair as well as provide systems analysis of the house, advise customers on equipment needs and diagnose home comfort problems, as well as provide efficiency recommendations.

The program has eight modules of advanced training: Advanced Air Flow, Advanced Hydronics, Advanced Efficiency, Advanced Venting, Advanced Controls, Oil Tank Installation & Maintenance and BPI’s program Building Science Principles Reference Guide.

To achieve Gold status,Technicians are required to have a NORA Silver certification and an additional two years of experience working on oil burners beyond the three years required for Silver. Technicians must attend any four of the eight module classes and pass the test for each of the four.

An accompanying training manual for each has been published and can be purchased as part of the certification program or as a stand-alone self-learning guide.

The manuals are available for purchase at the NORA Marketplace.

All certified technicians (Gold/Silver/Bronze) may use the any Gold modules for CEUs can credit them towards their rectification. Each module carries six CEUs.

Gold certification will remain in effect until 5 years from the end of the year they passed the Gold Test and 24 NORA CEU’s mus be earned during the 5-year period for renewal.

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NORA Silver Certification

SILVER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Technicians that have the requisite training and experience and have passed a test administered by a NORA approved state Oilheat trade organization certification program can be certified at the Silver Level.

THE NORA SILVER CERTIFICATION
You can become one of the very select techs in our entire industry to earn the distinction of the Silver Certification, so enroll today!
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Continuing Education

In order to enhance the training and skills acquired through your NORA certification, it is required that you complete 24 credit hours of continuing education classes in a five-year period. This ensures that your skills are maintained and keeps you up-to-date with the latest technologies.

Professional trainers and owners have developed a model curriculum for technicians, with the aim of increasing their technical proficiency and keeping them abreast of the latest developments in the following areas: air handling and distribution systems, hydronics and hot water and steam boilers, burners, test equipment, water heaters, electricity, controls, fuel, venting and customer service.

Technical classes feature practical, hands-on training in a fully-equipped, "state-of-the-art" laboratory located right here on Long Island.

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