Live Online Certification Training Expands to All 4 Days

You spoke, we listened.  ITC’s online Level I and II classes are now presented live for all four days, the entire duration of the course! 

When online certification training debuted over a year ago, it launched with the first day of class delivered as a self-directed, on-demand, course of study. Days 2-4 continued the training as a live class, presented in real time via Zoom with hands-on exercises and interactive demonstrations.  

The reason for this setup at the outset?  As a new format, there were concerns that perhaps thermographers wouldn’t want to be online for four days in a row.  However, after having successfully run over 60 of these courses during the past year, the answer is overwhelmingly clear…our customers simply love our live online training.  

Class surveys confirm this too and continue to indicate a strong desire for all four days to be delivered in real-time.  To be honest, that really isn’t surprising.  Nothing beats having a live instructor and ours are among the best in the industry.  So as of April 1st, we’ve been running all of our online training classes live, in their entirety. 

Real-time training is more dynamic and engaging.  Participants get answers to their questions immediately, and with better detail too, something that isn’t possible with an on-demand or pre-recorded training class.  Opportunities for networking are also plentiful in a live course as participants get to interact with their peers throughout the day, sharing best practices and their own personal experiences, something you miss with on-demand training.  It’s all of this and more which make our online classes the most engaging and captivating in the industry. 

Thinking about getting certified or is it your time to be re-certified and don’t want to travel?  An online course is the right solution for you!  ITC offers the following classes as an online option:

• Level I

• Level I Electrical

• sUAS Level I

• Optical Gas Imaging 

• Level II 

• Level II Electrical

• IR Roof Inspections 

For more information, and to register, please visit www.infraredtraining.com/schedule to view our complete calendar of upcoming training dates.  We hope to see you online soon!

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

New Online Course - Elevated Skin Temperature Screening

The Infrared Training Center is now offering an online Elevated Skin Temperature (EST) screening course for anyone using thermal imaging for this application.

EST screening utilizes thermal imaging to measure the surface temperature of a person’s inner eye corner to detect signs of a fever. While infrared cameras cannot confirm the presence of a fever or virus, they are utilized to help prevent the spread of communicable conditions by identifying individuals who may have a high skin temperature. These readings can then be used to initiate secondary screening, if needed, to verify whether the subject has a fever.

This 4-hour course will cover the setup and operation of several camera models, as well as explain how infrared science applies to EST, and best practices for obtaining optimal results when screening for Elevated Skin Temperature.  Students completing the course and passing the knowledge check will be issued an ITC Certificate of Completion.  Registration for the class is available here via ITC’s online training portal.

Changes to ITC Global Training Operations Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

*UPDATE - ITC TRAINING CLASSES POSTPONED*

The Infrared Training Center is suspending certification training at our US and Canadian locations through Friday, May 29 due to the COVID-19 / Coronavirus outbreak. In Europe, training classes remain postponed through Friday, May 1st as well.  As always, we’ll continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments if necessary as new information becomes available.

If registered for a class that has been impacted by this decision, you can transfer your enrollment to an alternative date/location or request a full refund.  Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or are looking for more information.

United States
1-866-TRAIN-IR
+1.603.324.7785

Canada
1-905-637-5696 Ext. 24

Europe, Middle East, Africa
+49 (69) 950090 11

Special Advanced IR Training Course for Research and Science Coming in October

The Infrared Training Center is hosting an Advanced IR Systems Training class this October 8-10 at our Boston-regional training center in Nashua, New Hampshire that focuses on the science behind infrared camera calibration, concepts of radiometry and target signature work.  It is intended for researchers, scientists, university students, and engineers who are using thermal imaging in their respective fields.

Included in the class will be a thorough review of IR science and modern infrared camera design with an emphasis on radiative heat transfer and the practical implications of using a thermal imaging camera to measure temperature. All common sources of measurement error will be discussed as well as the methods used to mitigate these issues.

Depending on the needs of the participants and the time available, additional topics covered may include measurement through IR windows or using mirrors to capture indirect temperature readings. While not required, students are encouraged to bring their own cameras and laptops for planned lab exercises during class.

For more information and to register, please view the course listing on the ITC website or contact the Infrared Training Center directly at 1-866-TRAIN-IR.

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