After a year of success for the Archery Trade Association’s Bow Technician Certification course, the ATA is launching a Crossbow Technician Certification course to help bow technicians advance their technician knowledgebase and framework.
“Crossbows continue to make up a larger percentage of bow sales in many parts of the country,” said Kurt Smith, ATA’s director of industry relations. “Just putting crossbows on the wall and hoping for the best isn’t good enough anymore. To take advantage of this opportunity and be profitable, you’ve got to be able to help customers choose the right equipment and give excellent service after the sale. The ATA’s new course will help you do both.”
The new certification course will cover crossbow assembly, routine maintenance and common service like string and cable replacement and cam timing. Students will also receive information on how to diagnose causes of damage on crossbows.
Just like the ATA’s original certification course, which covers compound bow technician services, the crossbow technician certification course will have a hybrid format with an on-demand online component and an in-person practical assessment where students must demonstrate proper execution of each skill. This approach allows individuals to watch and complete the videos on their own time at their own pace, and time to reference the videos and practice each skill before the in-person practical.
After completing the course, students will have the skills necessary to set up and provide safe and competent service for crossbows and associated accessories. Additionally, an industry certification tells customers the technician is both qualified and capable of providing exceptional service.
Both certification courses are ideal for bow technicians of all skill levels and years of experience. No matter how long you’ve been a bow technician, having the certification validates your skills, adds credibility to your shop, reassures customers you know what you’re doing and differentiates your business from competitors.
Showgoers can learn more and sign up for both the compound bow and crossbow certification courses at the ATA Programs & Services area at the Show or online through the ATA’s Learning Center at www.pathlms.com/archery-trade-association/courses.
Each course costs $600 per person. The ATA is running a special: individuals can sign up for both courses at the discounted price of $995, a savings of over $200. If you’re signing up online, use the code BOWCOMBO.
The content for the original bow technician certification course is available now, but the on-demand video content for the crossbow technician certification course goes live on April 1, 2024. Please visit the ATA Programs & Services area on the Show floor to sign up and receive the discounted price.
If you have questions about this new opportunity, please contact Kurt Smith, ATA’s director of industry relations, at kurtsmith@archerytrade.org.
About the Archery Trade Association
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. We work to increase the recruitment and retention of new, current and once-active archers and bowhunters. We are the driving force in defending, educating, and lobbying for the greater good of the industry and sport. We preserve and promote archery and bowhunting’s rich heritage to ensure active consumer participation, and successful manufacturing and retailing for generations to come. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest-running trade show worldwide.
