Irrigation Technician (Tools Included)
This online irrigation technician training program builds the technical and diagnostic expertise you need for an entry-level career within landscaping, water management, and environmental services of the irrigation repair and maintenance industry—a specialized and rapidly growing sector with abundant job opportunities and career advancement. Job growth is driven by the nationwide focus on sustainability and smart irrigation technologies as residential, commercial, and municipal customers seek...
Irrigation Technician (Tools Included)
Details + Objectives
Course code: GES7096
What you will learn
- Understand irrigation system basics, hydraulics, valves, wiring, and part identification
- Diagnosis and repair or replacement of nozzles, spray heads, rotors, drip systems, and leaks
- Grasp how to re-route pipes and repair double PVC breaks
- Learn to replace rotors and diagnose and repair valves
- Review the installation of master and zone valves, adding water meters and cut-off valves, and how to replace controllers
How you will benefit
- Access to 36 video lessons filmed on real job sites during live service calls
- Practical, hands-on experience through one-of-a-kind real-world virtual service calls—all online
- Learn from instructors with decades of experience and who have completed over 20,000 service calls, bringing real-world expertise to every lesson
- Training format places you in the action like a virtual apprentice, ensuring every detail is practical, relevant, and immediately applicable
How the course is taught
- Self-paced, online course
- 3 Months to complete
- Open enrollment, begin anytime
- 32 course hours
Instructors & Support
Jim McIlwain
Jim McIlwain is a nationally recognized authority in irrigation repair, known for his online Irrigation Repair Training and live teaching events. Coach McIlwain is a seasoned irrigation expert and 22-year irrigation company owner who teaches from experience gained on more than 20,000 service calls.
After earning a degree in Business, he found it challenging to secure a job and promptly attended trade school for horticulture, where he discovered his passion for irrigation. Shortly thereafter, he founded his own irrigation business. Initially, his company offered both repair services and new sprinkler system installations. However, after three years, he chose to focus exclusively on irrigation repair for its greater challenges and higher profit potential. This sharp focus proved pivotal to his success, allowing him to hire and train inexperienced technicians to become highly skilled professionals capable of repairing complex irrigation issues that few can solve.
Coach McIlwain draws on his extensive experience training irrigation repair technicians and his deep practical knowledge to deliver step-by-step instruction that’s easy to learn and effective on the job. His online courses are highly regarded for making challenging subjects accessible and preparing technicians to handle real-world scenarios with confidence. His mission is to elevate the irrigation industry by improving service quality, promoting professionalism, conserving water through effective leak repairs, and increasing both technician opportunity and business profitability.
Requirements
This course will benefit anyone with little to no irrigation experience. We take you from zero to job ready.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Microsoft Word Online
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
You will also receive the Irrigation Tool Kit, which includes the following items:
- Heads & Adjustment Tools
- Rain Bird 5004 Plus Part-Circle Rotor, 4 in. Riser (5004+PC)
- Rain Bird 5006 Plus Part-Circle Non-Potable Rotor, 6 in. Riser with SAM Check Valve (5006+PCSAMNP)
- Rain Bird 5012 Plus Part-Circle Rotor, 12 in. Riser with SAM Check Valve and PRS Pressure Regulator (5012+PCSAMR)
- Hunter PGP-ADJ Adjustable Rotor, 4 in. Riser with No. 6 Nozzle (PGPADJ6)
- Hunter MP Rotator MP3000 Nozzle, 22–30 ft., 90°–210° (MP300090)
- Rain Bird 1804 Spray Body NSI, 4 in. Pop-Up (1804R)
- Rain Bird 1806 Spray Body Side Inlet, 6 in. Pop-Up (1806)
- Rain Bird 1812 Spray Body Side Inlet, 12 in. Pop-Up (1812)
- Rain Bird Rotor Adjustment Tool (ROTORTOOL)
- Hunter MP Rotator Adjustment Tool (MPTOOL)
- Hunter Adjustable Wrench (172000SP)
- Nozzles
- Rain Bird VAN Nozzle, Variable Arc, 15 ft., 0°–360° (15VAN)
- Rain Bird Nozzle, Full Circle, 15 ft., 360° (R15F)
- Hunter MP Rotator MP1000 Nozzle, 8–15 ft., 90°–210° (MP100090)
- Hunter MP Rotator MP2000 Nozzle, 13–21 ft., 90°–210° (MP200090)
- Hunter MP Rotator MP3000 Nozzle, 22–30 ft., 90°–210° (MP300090)
- Valves & Controller
- Rain Bird DVF Globe Valve, Plastic, 1 in., with Flow Control, Slip × Slip (100DVFSS)
- Hunter PGV Globe Valve, Plastic, 1 in., with Flow Control, Slip × Slip (PGV101GS)
- Rain Bird PGA PVC and Glass-Filled Nylon Globe/Angle Valve, 1 in. FIPT (100PGA)
- Rain Bird PEB Industrial Valve, Plastic, 1 in., with Flow Control, FIPT × FIPT (100PEB)
- Rain Bird ESP-Me Smart Controller, LNK WiFi, 4 Station Modular, Not Included (ESP4ME3)
Material Fees are non-refundable upon registration.
Please note: Due to the high cost of the kit, it will not ship until 15 days after your start date. We are unable to deliver the kit to P.O. Boxes; you may be asked to provide an alternate shipping address for your delivery.