Sarah Pfister, owner of Badger Archery in Dillon, Montana, has worked in an archery shop since she was 14. Now 37, she has over 20 years of bow technician experience, owns her own shop, and took the ATA’s Bow Technician Certification course to validate her skills and show customers she’s qualified and capable of providing excellent service.
“Because of my experience and background, I didn’t go into the course expecting major breakthroughs in learning,” she said. “I took the course to earn a certification that I can hang on the wall to quickly break down barriers with new customers who don’t know me and aren’t familiar with my work or background. I also did it for the experience. Whatever your trade, you should strive to continue learning. I’m always absorbing information and this was a good opportunity to do that from trusted experts.”
Even as a confident, well-established bow technician, Pfister was glad she took the course and encourages other technicians, regardless of their experience level, to take it.
“Even if you have 20 years of experience, I still think that as an industry, it’s important we do these sorts of things because you have to hold yourself accountable for the work you do and ensure you’re meeting industry standards. No matter how long you’ve been a bow technician if you go into this with an open mind, you’ll pick up a few things, grow your network, and earn a certificate that proves you know what you’re doing.”
Certified instructors get valuable feedback on their skills. Photo Credit: ATA
1. Validation of skills: The course can teach you proper techniques or help you identify areas of improvement to ensure you’re producing quality work without accidentally cutting corners.
2. Confidence in your abilities: The course can provide reassurance and give you confidence that you’re doing things correctly.
3. Access to a network of technicians and instructors: You’ll meet other dedicated bow technicians and several skilled instructors who can provide support and feedback even after the course ends.
4. Opportunity to ask questions and get tailored advice: During the in-person practical assessment, you’ll have the chance to connect one-on-one with an instructor to get personalized assistance.
5. A certification and materials to show customers you’re qualified: After graduating, you’ll receive an ATA Certified Bow Technician certificate, poster, counter mat, banner, patches, sticker and magnet to display at your shop.
6. Ways to teach and describe tasks to your employees: Pick up strategies on how to explain bow technician processes from instructors so you can more efficiently teach your employees.
7. An overview on all types of equipment: The course covers bows and accessories from all brands, giving participants a comprehensive equipment rundown.
Pfister was surprisingly nervous taking the course but said she’s better because of it, since she had to use equipment she wasn’t as familiar with while instructors analyzed her process and technique. “It gave me confidence in my skills because if I can pass under those circumstances, I know what I’m doing in my shop is correct,” she said.
Pfister believes the certification will become mainstream, and she’s glad she got certified early. She sees extreme value in the certification for her shop and the entire industry.
“As a woman bow technician, I think I get questions most male bow technicians don’t,” she said. “I can always answer the questions and build customer confidence and trust through conversations, but I think the certification will speak for me. I hope to see more certified bow technicians, including women, who can better advance and improve our industry.”
The ATA has a Recurve, Compound and Crossbow Technician certification course. Pfister plans to sign up for the crossbow course to learn more about the increasingly popular archery option and have a dual certification to make her shop more marketable.
To enroll, sign up for the ATA’s Technician Certification courses online through the ATA’s Learning Center.
Each certification course costs $600. Individuals can sign up for two courses at a discounted price of $995, or all three courses at a discounted price of $1,395.
Click here to learn more about these courses. If you have questions, please contact Kurt Smith, ATA’s director of industry relations, at kurtsmith@archerytrade.org.
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