EDUCATION How ALOA Works In this multipart series, ALOA Education Manager Jim Hancock, CML, CMST, relays the inner workings of ALOA operations and programs. entertainment sensation or other abysmal shows that networks now program, I find myself watching shows such as Discovery channel’s “How It’s Made” or ones on the DIY network when they take apart something to explain how it was constructed, why it works and such. While my first choice is still the ESPNs, Fox Sports and the like, these shows have always intrigued me. So, in that spirit, I thought I might write a short series on How ALOA Works. Many of you have been members for a long time and many are newbies, but few outside of the board and the staff know what it takes to make the various aspects of this organization work. Hopefully, it will be informative and give you some insight into your organization. Because I deal with Education as my primary function, let’s start with “How Education Works at ALOA.” ALOA was founded on several principles, one of which was to help provide educa- I tion to the industry — most specifically, its members. Many of you have taken classes from ALOA either at the annual conference, at a vendor show or, more recently, at our training facility in Dallas. But, just what does it take to put on these classes? What is involved in the costs of a class? Can anyone be an ALOA Instructor? We will start the series with The Cost of Education. One of the things we hear a great deal is that the cost of classes is too high. Some compare taking an ALOA class to going to a vendor show where classes are taught or taking some webinar or video training. Well, since we are pulling back the curtain as it were, let me say without a doubt, I agree. ALOA classes are more expensive than other options out there. But let’s stop and examine the reasons for that and maybe, just maybe, make it a little more understandable. ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. does not employ any “on-staff” instructors per se. While myself and my assistant Joe Peach can and do teach some classes, we only do this if it is subject matter we are familiar with and either have taught previously or have had time to develop the lesson plan for. This means that almost all classes ALOA offers at the annual conference, for local associations and chapters or at the training center in Dallas are taught by subject matter experts that travel from WWW.ALOA.ORG believe it is a trait inherent in locksmiths and many other tradespeople that we not only like to work with our hands, but we are absolutely fascinated with how things work and how they are made. When I am searching the 3 million available television channels for something that doesn’t involve housewives, people stuck on islands, the next great around the country to instruct a class. These instructors have been through the ALOA ACE Instructor training program, have been vetted as experts in the field(s) they are instructing and have shown that they can indeed convey information to students in a manner that is easy to un- derstand. Associated costs to secure the services of these instructors include, but may not be limited to: Travel. This includes airfare or mile- age, in some cases, for instructors to travel from their homes to the venue where the classes will be held. This also may include airport parking fees, shuttle service or rental car if needed, and extra bag fees if the class is an ex- tended class. Instructor Fee. Instructors are paid a daily fee for their instruction time. Compared to what most make on a daily basis in their everyday jobs, they lose money by taking the instructing job but do it out of a commitment to further the education of the industry. They are also given a small stipend for the time spent in airports and such to get to the venue. Shipping. This is probably the big- gest cost and the one that fluctuates the most in recent years. While airfare and fuel prices have gone up and then back down slightly, freight has gone up and stayed up or even risen more. If ALOA is teaching a class at a local association and that class — say, Fun- damentals for instance — requires six to eight shipping crates for materials, the shipping cost can easily equal or surpass the airfare and a day or two of instructor fees. But without all of the equipment, the class suffers, as there are not enough materials to teach the concepts and skills correctly. Handouts and Class Manuals. Most ALOA classes have class manuals that MAY 2019 KEYNOTES 55
