Tips for Training Commercial Cooking Equipment Techs

Commercial kitchens rely on knowledgeable techs for equipment repairs. two gas stoves image by Christopher Walker from Fotolia.com

Keeping commercial equipment running smoothly presents a perpetual challenge for kitchens with heavy usage. Cooking establishments rely on capable cooking equipment techs to fix broken equipment quickly and efficiently; keeping commercial appliances in working order with regular servicing is another important function professional techs provide. The better trained and more familiar the technician becomes with common repairs and educational tips to share with busy cooks, the better the relationship between the repairman and the commercial kitchen remains.

Customer Service

Train your equipment techs to know as much about servicing the customer and meeting her needs as he does about the equipment on which he works. Having a repair person in a busy work space is frustrating enough. Dealing with one who gets angry when asked a question, swears or acts unprofessional adds to the stress. Train techs to realize that one of their most important responsibilities is maintaining the relationship with the customer. By exhibiting professionalism and upholding quality standards, techs are in a better position to pass on to restaurant workers tips on how to use equipment safely and maintain appliances to prevent repairs. This benefits your repair crew and your customers. When you emphasize customer service while training your crew they will follow your lead.

Test Your Technicians

Give tests after each module of learning. This helps retention by reinforcing what's fresh in the techs' minds. Keep the test casual, yet professional. Some individuals have trouble testing. If you train techs who easily fail tests, work with them by giving them practice tests or reinforcement modules. This helps prepare them when they must test for certification or pass in-house testing.

Make Them Certifiable

Work your technicians up to certification. Reinforce, re-inform and help them re-learn everything they need to pass certification. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Universal Refrigeration Certification and CFESA Master Certified Technician are two of the highest standards to which commercial equipment workers are held. Organize your training to cover the high standards these certifications require. Even if your company doesn't require this certification, holding your techs to the highest standards means they'll be better equipped to repair broken equipment and to prevent downtime by maintaining and servicing commercial appliances.

Continuous Improvement

Quality-check your technicians throughout training. Look for weaknesses in the equipment techs and work specifically and individually on the shortcomings to improve their skills and boost their confidence.

Safety Upkeep

Train and test techs on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards. Communicating with kitchen employees when working on a broken machine is tantamount to avoiding injuries caused by someone unknowingly trying to operate broken equipment. Leaving loose tools where someone could trip also causes injuries. OSHA.gov outlines specific work hazards in dangerous areas such as commercial kitchens and provides preventative measures technicians and workers should take to keep everyone safe. Train your techs well on OSHA standards and test them while they are still in training to assure they understand and follow these important safety techniques.

References

• EPA Test: How to become an EPA certified A/C & Refrigeration Technician
• Commercial Food Equipment Service Association: CFESA Company Certification
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Workers