On July 30, 2012, the Houston TX training center held the first of the newly added Compressor training classes. The 40 hour class is taught by Instructor Jim Upton, who wrote the text book used for the class and created the accompanying slide show that mimics the book to co-inside with the step-by-step instructions.  Upton’s course educates students on every level of compressors from very basic knowledge of compressors and how they work, the disassembly and problem diagnosis, and finally the re-assembly of the compressor to exact specifications. Upton expressed his satisfaction of the classes and pointed out how this course helps prepare the students for work in the field by saying: “After completing the Compressor Training Class our members will be more knowledgeable on the repair and maintenance of compressors, which in turn makes them more marketable to our customers”. To capture the increasing market for millwrights with compressor training and hands-on experience, the Southern States Millwright Regional Council stepped up and designed a course that revolves specifically around compressors and their function. The new class has been well recieved and Upton adds,"The compressor classes are going extremely well. The students are passing with top grades and they say that the class is interesting and informative". This class is available to all SSMRC members and they can contact their local training director for information on signing up for the class. EST, Dennis Donahou, commended the new course and those who worked to bring their knowledge to the classroom. “Jim Upton’s expertise in the field of compressor maintenance and his ability to build curriculum has gotten this new training course off to a great start. With the help of Area Coordinator George Wright, the millwrights will have quality training that will help capture a larger market share of the compressor maintenance industry”.