Drake Lighting can add “school” to its already long list of solutions. This new service offers a range of obstruction lighting training, covering system functions, installation, configuration, and troubleshooting techniques. Known as Drake Academy, the school educates field technicians on the service and installation of obstruction lighting from all manufacturers, instead of a single proprietary line.
The Drake Academy covers equipment from International Tower Lighting, Flash Technology, and Drake Lighting. “We really don’t care what brand of obstruction lighting the student needs to learn,” Griffin Jones, Corporate Trainer at Drake Academy, said. “Typically, obstruction lighting training programs only deal with a specific product line. We wanted to create one spot to teach all the obstruction lighting from different manufacturers.”
The Drake Academy faculty is comprised of experts in lighting system installations and maintenance who bring knowledge and experience to the classroom, ensuring that students receive a learning experience they will find useful every day on the job.
Drake Academy’s comprehensive training program includes classroom presentations, hands-on laboratory sessions, and on-site training. Students may participate in specific courses that meet their particular interests, either in-house, on-site or online.
In-house Training
Participants in the in-house training will have access to both a hands-on lab, an on-site lab, and a training tower at Drake Lighting’s facility in Paducah, Kentucky. Typically, the course will span six to eight hours plus a tour of the Paducah facility.
“When you come to our facility, you not only get a hands-on, immersive experience, but you get access to experts that have 40-plus years of experience within this industry,” Jones said.
On-site Training
Another option is to have Drake instructors conduct the training at the customer’s site. The training encompasses everything from obstruction light installation and troubleshooting to project closeout procedures. This course caters specifically to the customer’s unique requirements and objectives.
“On-site training gives us a chance to assist and teach as the installation or repair is happening,” Jones said. “It builds confidence in the technicians, as it provides real-world experience.”
Online Training
The online training program offers the convenience of attending courses from a remote location. The course is conducted through Microsoft Teams meetings and features online presentations and visual labs.
“Online training can serve as a complement to on-site and in-house training. We go through everything the technicians need to know, such as the system functionalities,” said Jones. “We know how the tower industry is. People are on strict deadlines, and technicians are always out on the road. It can be hard for them to say, ‘Hey, I need a week off to go through a training program.’”
Core Training
Along with teaching on the various lines of obstruction lighting, Drake Academy provides foundational knowledge necessary to install or service obstruction lighting. One course teaches techs to understand and effectively use a multimeter for electrical testing purposes. Another course teaches essential concepts, principles, and theories of basic electrical applications. Additionally, professionals can learn about compliance and guidance related to airworthiness regulations of the FAA. These courses are offered online and in-house.
Conclusion
As an instructor at the Academy, Jones provides knowledge and lessons he has gathered through his professional experience. From field work, to understanding the product specifications from each manufacturer, Jones tailors his training to each student.
“We want the industry to be better through our teaching,” Jones said. “We call it the ‘Drake Way’ for a reason. We want it to be done correctly, because we’re all in this together in the tower industry.”
Open enrollment for Drake Academy will begin in 2024. For more information, email Griffin Jones: [email protected].
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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