Maverick Technical Institute (MTI) is holding its first, much-anticipated training classes this week, with participants from 20 custom installation companies taking a week-long Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) Tech Masterclass that includes hands-on and in-class educational sessions covering everything from electrical basics to speaker and amplifier installation.

Representatives from Audio Video Designs, Audio Video Systems, Barney Miller’s, Barrett’s Technology Solutions, Crescendo Design, Dallas Sight & Sound, Gramophone, Hippo’s Home Entertainment, Innerspace Electronics, Paulson’s Audio & Video, Sound Components and Spire Integrated Systems are among those in attendance.

This new educational program, known as the HTSA Accelerated EST Masterclass, is a comprehensive training curriculum designed to advance the knowledge and professionalism of basic level installation technicians.

MTI, which is led by executive director Joe Boston and officially had its grand opening in June 2016, started the buying group's Tech Masterclass on Monday, August 9 with an orientation on professionalism and discussing the difference between residential and commercial work. Attendees then were run through all the various tools that are necessary for a technician today, then covered electrical basics/safety and the proper applications for screws, bolts, anchors and concrete hardware.

Day 2 begins with an overview of wire, and then a crash course on prewire techniques, from staging to attachment methods to bends/turns and fishing. Test tones and labeling, as well as best practices for designing and deploying wireless systems were also taught.

The afternoon covers fiber termination and uses, from multi-mode to single-mode and more. Other training on tap will cover speaker and amplifier connections and troubleshooting, along with hands-on installation of in-wall/in-ceiling backboxes and brackets. Students will be tested at the conclusion of the week. 

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