HARDI's New Instructional Designer: Explore Customized Courses and Innovations for HVACR Professionals

Hi everyone! My name is Amie Tope, and I am happy to introduce myself as the newest HARDI teammate! It is my pleasure to tell you a little bit about myself and then let you know how I can be of service to you and all our HARDI members.

But first, coffee – and a little background! I was born, raised, and have lived in Ohio my entire life! Yes, I am a buckeye through and through! I received a Bachelor of Arts in Education there in 2010. Originally, I set out to be a teacher. I have always loved school, learning, and the sense of accomplishment education gives you; however, as it turns out, kids don’t listen (sometimes parents don’t either). Luckily, I found the world of Instructional Design! In 2018, I received a Master of Science, Instructional Design, and set sail!

What Exactly is Instructional Design?

Believe it or not, there is a science behind creating educational and training materials that makes it most effective and well, enjoyable! A few key things to note about designing good instruction is really focusing on who the learners are as well as utilizing the multitude of materials and methods that are available as teaching tools and resources. Understanding who the learner is, I believe to be paramount when it comes to Instructional Design. When you know who the end user is, you know how they learn best, why they’re learning, and ultimately what they need to learn to be successful; All of this helps curate clear objectives and effective strategies for the best outcomes. Furthermore, there is an abundance of tools and resources out there to deliver learning via the best channel. Whether it’s a video, an eLearning course, or an in-person facilitation – myself and HARDI are here to find the right solution for you!

HARDI's Talent Development Team

At HARDI I am part of the Talent Development Team and our primary job functions include creating high-quality training materials for HARDI members, administering training via HARDI’s Learning Management System (LMS) – HEAT.U, consulting with HARDI members to better understand the needs of their people and culture, as well as delivering a variety of customization options including courses, learning paths, and onboarding videos.

What I’ve Learned So Far

Being new to HARDI and the HVACR industry, I had (and still have) a LOT of things to learn! When I started, not only did I need to complete standard onboarding, but I also needed to learn about how a trade association and HARDI operates, how the HVACR industry functions, who HARDI’s members are, and not to mention our Annual Conference was held just a mere 3 weeks into the job! It has been a lot to take in but exciting at the same time! I like to think of it all as a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Besides the technical aspects, I have also learned how important HARDI is in helping organizations be successful in so many ways. I’ve also learned how awesome our members are – smart, hard-working, kind people! The HVACR industry is vast, and it touches almost every single person in the world in some fashion – WOW!

HARDI Projects

So, what have I done so far since joining HARDI you ask? My first big assignment was to partner with a large distributor and customize a course package for them with their logo and branding! Now, when they deploy this training to their associates, through their LMS, the content will be personalized with their company’s logo and color scheme. If you are interested in customization options for your own company – whether it’s customizing specific courses to fit your needs, an onboarding video tailored to your people and culture, or another learning path you have in mind, you can book a consultation here!

Another assignment I was given (and subject I had to learn about) was taking the A2L course package that Sarah Wilster created from scratch, and help her transform it into a deck for an in-person facilitation course. This was another customized request from one of our members; however, it is available to anyone else who might need it! The course is designed to help members navigate the EPA's ruling and better educate their staff on the A2L transition. If you’re interested, please reach out to Brandin Bursa.

Stay tuned for more!

2025 is going to be an exciting year for the Talent Development Team! Some of the initiatives we are working toward include “A Year of Learning” with HARDI, a Truck Driver Learning Path, a People Leader Program, as well as many more customized courses and learning paths for our members! If you’d like to learn more about these programs to engage and retain your associates or discuss how to attract, recruit, or hire associates, contact HARDI’s Talent Development Team.

What is HARDI HEAT.U?

HEAT.U, HARDI's Education And Training University, offers a vast array of customizable, online learning resources that HARDI members can access through the online portal or integrating with their company's Learning Management System (LMS). Find courses that fit your company's needs and other online learning resources to effectively train and retain your most valuable asset— your people!