Viega LLC has introduced its Viega Trades Education Network program. VTEN is offered as a partnership to supplement a school’s curriculum regarding the design, installation and function of plumbing and hydronic systems.

“Viega has always made dedicated training for experienced contractors one of its top priorities, but with a new generation preparing to enter the workforce, we recognized the importance of offering training on entire mechanical systems in today’s trade schools and union halls,” says Lino Santoro, VTEN manager at Viega. “VTEN partners receive all the tools, software, learning modules and resources to take their education programs above and beyond basic classroom instruction.”

VTEN is designed to go beyond product-focused instruction to include training on mechanical systems as a whole by providing complete tooling packages, access to LoopCAD radiant heating and cooling systems design software and Viega’s eLearning platform.

Since VTEN started, more than 1,400 users have enrolled in the eLearning program. VTEN also provides instructor’s conferences, workshops and curriculum modules that integrate into a school’s program.

A partial list of current modules includes Hydronics 101; Piping and Controls; Trades Math and Blueprint reading; CAD and BIM; Radiant Design and more.

VTEN also offers credentialed classes for Viega products, including Viega ProPress and Viega MegaPress for carbon steel and stainless pipe. To date, nearly 600 people enrolled in the VTEN program received credentials for these products. Its online learning management system can be customized to help schools educate their students with specific online training courses.

With on-site orientation to the network and Zoning Demonstration Board and Mixing Demonstration Board, students receive hands-on experience troubleshooting these systems, while instructors create customized problems for students to solve.