“If you operate within the perimeters of what BOC teaches you in class, you’re going to save energy and probably save on your time’ says Nibblett. Paul is a maintenance engineer at a senior housing facility in Eugene, Oregon. He estimates BOC training has helped him free up at least 10 to 15 percent of his work time. “That’s a big saving to an employer,” — increasing productivity and having more time to work on other needs.

Nibblett, who is a veteran maintenance professional, found BOC valuable in teaching new material as well as reinforcing his prior knowledge and experience. For example, he was able to reaffirm his facility’s plan for their lighting retrofit, as well as learning new ideas, such as the legal responsibilities for stormwater drainage and the importance of firing up HVAC equipment in stages in order to reduce peak demand.

The broad BOC curriculum also fits well with a profession trend favoring maintenance generalists who are jacks-of-all-trade. Nibblett observed “through periodicals I’ve read and people I’ve talked to, they would rather have a maintenance person who is well-versed in general aspects of all the areas, and then call in an expert if they actually need it. It’s much more economical.”

Nibblett described the instruction in his seven-course BOC training as first-rate. “I really was impressed with the quality of the presenters. BOC did a great job in getting people that knew their stuff.”

“I really think the class [BOC] is worthwhile,” Nibblett concluded, “for students as well as their employers. It’s a win-win situation. You can’t lose.”

By Mark Ohrenschall.