The Independent Pool and Spa Service Association is pleased to announce it has expanded its Education Fund and is now subsidizing more classes throughout the industry to lower the overall cost of education for service professionals. The subsidized training courses are available to ALL self-employed swimming pool/spa service professionals in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Texas regardless of whether or not they are IPSSA members.
The IPSSA Education Fund is partnering directly with those organizations that administer training courses by providing funds to lower the cost of an individual class. Qualifying classes will now include:
- Industry Trade Show education offerings
- Certified Pool Operator (CPO) courses
- Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO) courses
- Contractor License school courses
- Manufacturer-sponsored courses
- College-level courses in: Bookkeeping, accounting, computers and chemistry subjects
- Trade-school courses in: Plumbing, electrical and mechanical subjects
Other courses may also qualify for funding based upon approval by the IPSSA Education Committee if they deem the course valuable to pool and spa service professionals.
The newly expanded Education Fund subsidizes the cost of approved classes, but no longer requires service professionals to apply for the funds.
“By going directly to those that offer the courses, IPSSA is fulfilling its mission to provide funds to as many service professionals as possible throughout the industry,” says Rose Smoot, executive director of IPSSA. “The goal is to ensure the cost of a [continuing education] course doesn’t keep service professionals from taking a class.”
Organizations offering courses can get funding up to $4,000 per class, and class instructors can submit two applications per calendar year. Individual service professionals can receive up to $200 per class for a total of two classes per year or $400 per calendar year.
