Justin Forbes, APPL student, KPU

For immediate release

January 23, 2013

KPU’s appliance servicing program creates opportunities for more than one career

(Metro Vancouver, BC) – Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) appliance servicing program (APPL)  has increasingly become a popular career choice for those interested in learning a trade. With the gap of qualified tradespeople forecasted in the next five to 10 years, learning a trade is something more people are considering every year.

For APPL student Justin Forbes, it was seeing the enjoyment and reward his father experienced in an appliance servicing career that ultimately persuaded him to enrol in the program. “Technology is always changing and with the various machines we train on, every workday will be interesting and different from the last,” said Forbes. “This program opened many doors I didn’t know existed, aside from appliance servicing, I’ll have the opportunity to go into electrical work, commercial refrigeration, and with the “C” gas ticket, be able to get into servicing fireplaces.” After completing the APPL program in June, Forbes hopes to work for his father’s company in Courtenay, BC.

“KPU’s APPL program is certainly a great career choice,” said David Fengstad, APPL instructor, KPU. “With the changes in technology in our field and the changing demographics in our society there is a real demand for individuals of all ages and backgrounds as an appliance service technician. Our trade incorporates multiple disciplines, such as electrical, gas and refrigeration.”

KPU’s APPL program is the only full-time program in Canada that offers appliance servicing as a career. For the last 40 years graduate students continue to be successfully employed as technicians, owners, managers, and technical trainers in the appliance industry in BC, Canada and the United States. Graduates from the program are also working in commercial cooking servicing, vending machine repair, furnace and fireplace service sector, as well as other "electromechanical" occupations.

KPU’s next 39-week APPL course begins March 5, 2013, and ends November 29, 2013. There is still room to register, visit kwantlen.ca/trades/appliance_servicing for more information.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 18,000 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.

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For more information about the APPL program, contact:
Admissions office: 604.599.2000
Email: thomas.westgate@kwantlen.ca or david.fengstad@kwantlen.ca
Visit: kwantlen.ca/trades/appliance_servicing

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Cara Johnson
Media Specialist
Tel: 604.598.6196
cara.johnson@kwantlen.ca