Online Certification Training Has Arrived

ITC’s new Online Thermography Certification program places you front-and-center in a virtual classroom which means you no longer have to travel to get certified. That’s because online training eliminates secondary costs typically associated with traditional in-person courses including transportation, hotel, meals and more.  All of this while offering you the most flexible and convenient certification options to date.

Pre-COVID-19, all Infrared Training Center (ITC) thermography certification courses were held at hotels, conference centers, or customer facilities. During a typical week, the ITC team could be conducting a dozen or so of these classes globally.  Then, seemingly overnight, the coronavirus pandemic forced ITC to find an alternative way to deliver classes.  

Enter online certification training.

What makes ITC’s online training program unique? It features live, interactive instruction through Zoom teleconferencing.  This isn’t just voice-over-PowerPoint where you’re learning by yourself, isolated from your instructor and your peers.  Participants can interact with both ITC trainers and their fellow thermographers in real-time, just as you can in a typical face-to-face training class.  And while there is some self-directed content, most of the class is delivered live with engaging demonstrations, group discussions, and more. Overseas ITC still maintains a face-to-face component for labs and exams. These classroom sessions, of course, meet all local COVID-regulations and safety protocols.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive and has taken off with Level I and Level II thermography classes which continue to sell out.  As such ITC has been adding dates through March of 2021 and is now in the process of expanding their online portfolio of certification training into more specialized instructional areas this fall. Coming soon, look for online sUAS and OGI thermography training as well in this new format. 

“Our business has always been about live classroom training and we don’t see that going away anytime soon,” says John Keane, ITC Global Director.  “However, the pandemic has necessitated this transition to offer more of our training library online and I see both being an important part of what we do going forward.  Besides the obvious benefits of social distancing, removing the cost of travel which, for some customers, has historically been a barrier, this now allows them to get certified too.”  

Registering for online training is easy with numerous dates and locations available that will accommodate even the busiest of schedules.  And it’s not just for individuals.  For those with larger groups which need training, these online courses are available as an onsite option too.  Contact ITC for a quote to schedule a private class exclusively for your employees that’s tailored to your individual training and certification needs.

Contact ITC to learn more about online certification training.

North America
1-866-FLIR-911
info@infraredtraining.com

http://www.infraredtraining.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa
+49 (69) 95009011
info@irtraining.eu

http://www.irtraining.eu

ITC Acquires New Aerial Viewing System to Augment sUAS Training Classes

The Infrared Training Center is excited to announce the purchase of a Command View System from Camera Motion Research, LLC to be used in sUAS training classes.  This equipment allows for the transmission of live video from an unmanned aircraft system to a control center on the ground as far as 3,000ft (914m) away.

Having the Command View System allows the instructor to demonstrate camera operation techniques and perform specific tasks such as measuring temperature, showing the effects of viewing angle and more, all while from the air.  Not only does this enhance the overall training experience, it allows for up to eight students to view the screen at a time, encouraging participation and improving engagement during flying exercises.

With the Command View System, more students can now experience the correct way to capture qualitative and quantitative thermography data in real time.  It works with a variety of instructional situations and applications too including overhead electrical, agricultural, solar panels and more.  A built-in DVR recorder captures all images and videos taken during flight which can be replayed and discussed while back in the classroom.

Look for the Command View System at upcoming sUAS Level I Thermography and Level I Public Safety Courses from the Infrared Training Center.   Registration for these classes and others is available online at www.infraredtraining.com/schedule or by calling ITC directly at 1-866-TRAIN-IR.

ITC & DroneBase Announce Training Partnership for sUAS Thermography

The Infrared Training Center (ITC) has been named as the official IR training and certification provider for DroneBase, a global drone operations company that provides businesses access to one of the largest small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) pilot networks in the world. DroneBase and its pilots have completed over 100,000 commercial missions in more than 70 countries, offering services across multiple industries including residential/commercial real estate, insurance, telecommunications, construction, and media.  

ITC’s sUAS Level I Thermography Certification course will serve as the foundation for this training that is available to DroneBase pilots where they will learn about the various applications of aerial infrared.  The class is designed for the sUAS pilot who needs the background, skills, and knowledge to properly capture and interpret thermal images.  Besides an overview of the many applications, participants will also learn about infrared science, IR equipment operation and flight safety.

According to John Keane, ITC’s Global Director, “We are excited about having the opportunity to certify DroneBase pilots in the application of infrared thermography and look forward to working closely with their network going forward.”

If you are a DroneBase pilot and are looking for sUAS thermography certification training, the latest ITC course schedule can be viewed here.

Existing DroneBase pilots are eligible for a special rate.  Those interested should contact DroneBase for details.  If you have questions about the sUAS Level I certification course, contact ITC directly at 1-866-TRAIN-IR, +1.603.324.7785 or via e-mail at info@infraredtraining.com.

For more information about DroneBase, please visit their website at www.dronebase.com

Less Expensive Thermal Imagers Never Meant Less Training

Matt Schwoegler, ITC

When I first started training thermographers back in 2002, most infrared cameras at the time were $40,000-60,000 USD.  It was a significant investment for many organizations who were using thermography which they took very seriously.  They took training seriously too.  After all, if you’re spending that much money on a piece of hardware, the operator better know how to use it properly.

It was shortly after that the world’s first sub-$10,000 thermal imager made its debut with a price point that changed the industry.  Today you can buy an IR camera that fits on your phone for just a few hundred dollars and the variety and quality of what’s available for under $10,000 is simply astonishing.   

What hasn’t changed in that time is physics.  Heat still moves from hot to cold.  Unfortunately, just like the cost of equipment, the conversation between the employee and the employer about the need and expense of training has seemingly changed.

Fifteen years ago, after spending $50,000+ on a new camera, I’d bet most didn’t put too much thought into the additional cost of training.  There was absolutely no question…with an investment that large, you better know what you’re doing! The response from a supervisor when asked by a thermographer for approval to attend a class was often similar to this:

FLIR ONE Online Training

FLIR ONE Basics
This course will introduce you to the operation of the FLIR ONE and FLIR ONE Pro infrared camera. This course is a self paced on-demand web course, you can start as soon as you enroll and you can stop and continue where you left off at any time. There is NO CHARGE for this course.

IR Consultant Pricing Survey - U.S.

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from our students and readers is "How much do consultants charge for IR inspection services?"

This groundbreaking survey provides you with the answers. The results of this survey should prove invaluable to you for both pricing and marketing your services.

We will be updating this information with a new survey to be conducted later this year. The results will be published as part of the InfraMation 2018 Conference Proceedings which all attendees receive.

If you want to be included in the survey, make sure that you opt in to "ITC email" on the Online Training registration page or your profile (for current online learners). Participants will be able to purchase the published report at a 50% discount.

Link to the Report Page

New Online Course - Introduction to FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The FAA has developed regulations to allow the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS or drone) in the National Airspace System (NAS) for purposes other than hobby and recreation. The rules are specified in 14 CFR part 107 and address UAS classification, certification, and operating rules.

This course is designed to introduce applicants wishing to operate a sUAS for commercial purposes to Part 107 knowledge. In addition, we include an infrared thermography primer for those wishing to use airborne thermography as an inspection tool.

Course Structure
This course can be taken on a computer, tablet, or a smartphone. For the best experience, we suggest a device with a larger screen for easier readability. It will take approximately 1.25 hours to complete this material.

At the conclusion of each lesson, there will be a knowledge check followed by a lesson summary.

At the conclusion of the course, you may then print a course completion certificate. Presenting this certificate when registering for an instructor led Level I sUAS Certification Course will entitle you to a discount equal to the purchase price of this online course.

Learn More

New Buildings Lab Coming to ITC's Boston-Regional Training Center

Matt Schwoegler, ITC

About a month ago I received a call from our Marketing department asking if we’d be interested in taking on a table-top trade show display that they were no longer using and were willing to donate.  I immediately said yes (free stuff = good…potentially valuable free stuff = better).  Sure, absolutely, please send it over!

Although I didn’t know exactly what we wanted to do with it at the time, there’s some real estate available to work with in the classroom.  My initial thought was we could create some type of educational display/exhibit.  I figured worst case we simply dispose of it and call it a day.  Low risk, right?  And how big could it possibly be?  I’ve worked with many “table top” displays over the years at trade shows.  They pack nicely, are relatively small, and fairly easy to ship.

Not this one.

What arrived was practically the size of a small car, made of solid wood, weighed several hundred pounds and was essentially indestructible.  I’d later find out, with great difficulty during some demolition, that it was held together with hundreds of professional-grade construction staples and what seemed like a vat of industrial strength glue.  Bottom line, if a tornado was ever going to hit the building, this is where you’d want to go.

Long story short, we decided to keep the display contained within, but what to do with our new makeshift fallout shelter that was suddenly gracing the classroom with its warehouse aesthetics?  That’s where my colleague, and fellow ITC instructor, Ron Lucier comes in to the story.  He had just wrapped up a class when this shipping container came rolling down the hallway from Receiving.

His suggestion: “How about a buildings lab?”

Yes! It was the perfect size and we had plenty of space.  All that we needed was some customizing.  So off I went to Lowe’s for supplies and the rest came together over about a day and half at my home workshop.  A nice change from teaching and a chance to create something that thermographers visiting our Boston-regional training center will enjoy for some time.

So for now phase one is complete.  Up next, adding insulation and a heat source.  At the very least looks like we might get to test it next week during a Level I certification course that’s in town.   I’ll let you know how it goes and will be sure to send an update.  And if we find anything wrong, hey at least I personally know the builder.

Check out more images below...

InfraMation Abstract Submission Date extended to March 1, 2016

Interested parties still have the opportunity to be considered for a presentation at the premier learning event for infrared thermographers. See the Call for Papers web page for all the details and significant discounts on the conference. http://www.inframation.org/papers/

New Live Webcasts and On-Demand Webinars

Learn the basics before getting certified with free live webcasts and on-demand webinars from ITC! Topics now scheduled into January 2016 that provide a valuable overview of thermal imaging and its many applications.  

Learn more and register here, plus get access to 20 on-demand webinars that are free and available for viewing any time: 
www.infraredtraining.com/webinars 

Besides US-based live webcasts and on-demand webinars, ITC also offers European-based sessions with more convenient times for those attending internationally: 
http://www.irtraining.eu/en/webinars/webinars.html

Live Webcasts - North American Broadcast Schedule
November - January

FLIR Tools Software Basics
Friday, November 6

FLIR Tools+ Advanced
Friday, November 6

Introduction to IR for Building Systems
Friday, November 13

Introduction to IR for Electrical Applications
Tuesday, November 24

Hands-On Operation of Your FLIR Thermal Imager
Friday, December 11

Building Moisture Inspection Basics
Friday, December 18

Overview of IR Optical Gas Imaging Webinar
Monday, December 21

Infrared Thermography Basics
Wednesday, December 30

Thermographer Q&A: Capturing Great Thermal Images
Friday, January 8, 2016

InfraMation 2016 - The Leading IR Training Experience

InfraMation, the leading IR training experience and thermal imaging conference, returns to Las Vegas and the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino September 26-29, 2016.  Registration is now available at www.inframation.org

The main conference will run Tuesday, September 27 through Thursday, September 29, with a pre-conference training day scheduled on Monday, September 26.  Join other thermography experts from around the world to learn the latest thermal imaging techniques and applications while making valuable connections!

And don’t just take our word for it…check out this video to see what past InfraMation attendees are saying about their experiences at the world’s largest conference for professional thermographers:

The best registration deal available for a limited time is the Platinum Package that not only includes full access to all four days of the event and conference meals, but also a FLIR C2 compact thermal imager, free ITC certification renewal, and entry into a drawing for a free FLIR E8 infrared camera.

The pre-conference training day on Monday, September 26, is a must for any thermographer looking to expand their knowledge in one of four available educational tracks that include two new certificate training areas: 

• Optical Gas Imaging and Research & Science 
• FLIR Tools Software and Thermography Inspections with UAVs 
• Advanced Thermography for Condition Monitoring – Certificate Training 
• Fundamentals of Thermography & Home Inspections – Certificate Training

More details coming soon including a Call for Papers for those who are interested in sharing their knowledge and experience with other industry professionals, plus sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities too.  Until then, follow ITC on Facebook (www.facebook.com/InfraredTraining) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ITCInfrared) with the hashtag #inframation16 for the latest updates on InfraMation 2016.  See you in Las Vegas!

Live Webcast Schedule Continues Through September 2015

The Infrared Training Center is pleased to announce that a new round of live webcasts are now scheduled through September 2015.  These free webinars provide a valuable overview of thermal imaging and its many applications.  New topics for this quarter include using IR for HVAC applications and an introduction to the ResearchIR software program for thermography cameras. 

In addition, ITC now has 20 on-demand webinars available for viewing at any time including sessions in German and French with more to come throughout the rest of 2015.

Registration for all US-based live webcasts and on-demand webinars can be found at www.infraredtraining.com/webinars

Or head to http://www.irtraining.eu/en/webinars/webinars.html for more information on our Europe-based live webcasts and on-demand sessions.

New Live Webcasts: July – September 2015

Infrared Thermography Basics
Friday, July 24

Ask the Expert: IR & Electrical Safety
Friday, July 31

FLIR Tools Software Basics
Friday, August 7

FLIR Tools+ Advanced Software
Friday, August 7

HVAC and IR Inspection Basics
Friday, August 14

Ask the Expert: Capturing Great Thermal Images
Wednesday, September 2

Introduction to ResearchIR Software for Thermography Cameras
Thursday, September 10

IR Basics for Home Inspectors
Thursday, September 10

Introduction to IR for Mechanical Applications
Friday, September 25

New Online Course: FLIR Cx Operation Basics

This course will introduce you to the operation of the FLIR Cx infrared camera. This course is a self paced on-demand web course, you can start as soon as you enroll and you can stop and continue where you left off at any time. There is NO CHARGE for course.
We will discuss the controls of the camera as well as the user interface, and show you how to operate your camera and your report and analysis software.

Who should take this course: This course is intended for users of the FLIR Cx camera or anyone interested in purchasing one.

Prerequisites: No prior knowledge of thermography or infrared cameras is assumed.

Availability: This course is an on-demand self paced web based training course available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can begin as soon as you enroll.

Course Homepage

New Online Course - WEB-SW35 - Creating a Field Assignment using FLIR Tools

One of the requirements for obtaining an ITC certification after completing an ITC course is demonstrating your ability to operate, diagnose, and produce a report using your infrared camera and software.
This short course describes a step by step procedure for producing a basic field assignment using the standard FLIR Tools software suite. This course is FREE for all students.
Link to the Course Home Page

A Level III Class Gets Schooled…by the Banquet Staff

Ronald D. Lucier, ASNT NDT Level III

Last month I was conducting a Level III class at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. If you aren’t familiar with the facility it is a wonderful place to conduct meetings. The staff is great, food is overwhelming and the rooms are inexpensive and clean. Plus the hotel has many restaurants, a movie theater, a bowling alley and of course a casino. It has been an ITC favorite for over 10 years.

Lately, though, we have been having issues with the meeting room, specifically the temperature.  The past couple times I’ve taught there it has been very cold and students have complained.  Now, I like my hotel room cold enough to hang meat, but 63˚F (17.2˚C) is a bit extreme for conducting a meeting unless you are in Antarctica, which we were not. 

Once again, we were having the same issues…

New Online Course - Elevated Body Temperature Screening Basics

Infrared thermography is a valuable tool for screening people in order to find individuals who have a body surface temperature that is elevated above the average of the general population. The use of an infrared camera should be adjunctive to other screening procedures.

ITC’s online course “Elevated Body Temperature Screening Basics” is designed to enable operators to use an infrared camera properly for the purpose of elevated temperature screening. The course does not depend on the type of camera, and the course will not teach you about all the features and operation of your particular camera, unless it is combined with one of the FLIR/ITC training courses for camera operation. The course will, however, teach you camera operation in general, and the functions and features that are recommended for use in elevated temperature screening.
Click the link below to go to the course home page.
WEB-TH60 - Elevated Body Temperature Screening Basics

New Online Course - Emissivity Explained in Plain English

Give us 10 minutes, and we will help you understand the basics of Emissivity, a key parameter needed for accurate measurement as well as thermal image interpretation.
At the conclusion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Explain the basic nature of Emissivity
• Describe its importance for image interpretation and measurement
• Identify a few high and low emissivity surfaces

Link to the Course Home Page

InfraMation Call for Papers. Get Your Abstracts Ready!

InfraMation 2015 is now less than a year away and there’s no time like the present to seriously consider sharing your expertise on the issues facing today’s thermography professionals. Clinics, presentations, and poster sessions all originate with you so FLIR and ITC are calling for your papers now for InfraMation 2015.

We are thrilled to be bringing the conference to the heart of Music City in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with the opportunity to help others succeed in building diagnostics and condition monitoring infrared, those with valuable insight into optical gas imaging and research and science thermography, are strongly encouraged to participate!

Start here to submit your abstract: www.inframation.org/papers

If you haven’t submitted an abstract before, then I hope you’ll do so this year. Here are just some of the benefits of being a presenter or instructor at InfraMation:

• Qualify for a deeply discounted conference registration fee and/or honorarium
• Identify yourself as an infrared thermal imaging expert in your field
• Earn valuable certification renewal credits

Whatever your thermal imaging know-how, there’s an interested audience at InfraMation. From building investigations to electrical and mechanical monitoring to R&D and OGI to thermography program management and marketing, attendees are always riveted and appreciative.

Not planning to submit an abstract this year? Then be sure to register for the conference right away to take advantage of the incredible Early Bird Special pricing still available.

Online Thermography Basics Course Updated

Description

This course is a more advanced introductory course in thermography and serves as an excellent, and recommended, addition to the infrared camera basics and infrared basics courses. Thermography involves more than just learning how to use an infrared camera. IR science, heat transfer, thermal tuning, and application knowledge are all essential subjects a thermographer must understand in order to properly interpret an image.

This course will give the learner the basic information to understand these concepts.
Accreditation: 2.5 ITC Certification Renewal Credits, 2 RCI Continuing Educational Hours (CEHs)
Note: You can stop the course and re-enter exactly where you left off at a later time or day, you don't have to complete the course in one sitting.


Link to the course

Live Webinar Schedule Extended Through June 2014

After some very successful webcasts in January and February, ITC is pleased to announce that our series of free, live webinars, has now been extended through June thanks to the exceptionally strong turnout and positive feedback we’ve received.

For those of you who may not be familiar with these, ITC’s complimentary educational webinars are designed to provide a valuable overview of thermal imaging and its many applications. By attending these free, interactive, online sessions participants learn not only the basics of infrared thermography, but also where IR can reduce costs, save energy and increase safety for professionals across a variety of industries.

Registration is now available at www.infraredtraining.com/webinars where you’ll also find on-demand recordings from past live events that can be viewed at any time.