With a background in English literature, writing, history, and editing, Jon Henson’s career path could have led him in several different directions. Luckily for everyone who has passed through the doors at NEIEP, he chose a path that would lead to him becoming one of the elevator industry’s educational leaders. Jon has held positions as a librarian and adjunct professor, formative experiences that allowed him to refine his ability to comprehend and clearly communicate complex ideas. This skill, amongst others, made Jon the perfect candidate to bring additional professionalism and credibility to NEIEP when he joined the organization in 2001. 

Currently NEIEP’s Manager of Writing and Development, Jon’s journey was sparked by a desire for a career-oriented position after he left graduate school. Hired as a technical writer, Jon’s abilities quickly became clear, and he soon became an integral part of NEIEP’s mission to deliver world-class education, training, and safety awareness to elevator constructors.

Staff Writer to Communications Leader

When Jon began at NEIEP, he was the sole non-industry writer on staff. He was responsible for smoothing out communications and collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs) to improve manuals, presentations, and technical documents. On top of his writing and editing responsibilities, Jon has been a constant creative force at NEIEP, playing a leading role in many legacy projects. 

One such project is the publication LIFT Magazine, which highlights ideas and shares contributions from elevator professionals the world over. Jon also contributes to NEIEP’s Corner, a dedicated section of another popular magazine, The Elevator Constructor. Similarly, Jon leads the production of NEIEP’s in-house newsletter, Conduit.

These publications have become key tools for NEIEP to effectively communicate with industry members to share knowledge and spread NEIEP’s mission. Jon’s skill for taking complex concepts and presenting them clearly for non-experts has played a pivotal role in making these publications indispensable resources for elevator professionals.

A Champion of Instructor Development

Early in his tenure, Jon was entrusted to collaborate with leading educational professionals Andy DiPaolo, Amos Patterson, and Ron Boehm on the Basic and Advanced Train the Trainer Courses (BTTC and ATTC). These workshops are the foundation on which successful elevator instruction careers are built, covering key topics including pedagogy, classroom management, and best practices. Through train the trainer, NEIEP shapes the educational approach provided by NEIEP instructors. 

Jon finds working with elevator constructors who are transitioning into the world of instructing to be extremely rewarding. He’s been consistently impressed by the creativity, intelligence, and talents of the Mechanics he meets, and his appreciation for the diverse skill sets that individuals bring to the elevator industry is reinforced with each workshop. 

Jon’s contributions on these programs have transcended his work at NEIEP, and he frequently draws upon the insights gained from train the trainer workshops in his role as adjunct professor at Roger Williams University. This intersection of Jon’s role at NEIEP and academic work lets him enrich NEIEP’s curriculum while also bringing real-world industry knowledge to the classroom.

Overseeing an Education Evolution 

During Jon’s time at NEIEP, the program has seen some major changes, with the educational program becoming a registered apprenticeship in 2002. This shift marked a significant milestone, highlighting the importance of structured apprenticeship in advancing through the industry. The change ensured that participants were on a definitive path toward mastery of the trade, and NEIEP expanded its curriculum and approach to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Advances in technology at the turn of the century also played a crucial role in sustaining the interest of learners and continually improving the apprenticeship experience. Jon’s work in integrating new technologies and refining educational content has proved pivotal in keeping NEIEP at the forefront of elevator industry education.

Fulfilling Work at NEIEP

For Jon, some of the most fulfilling aspects of working at NEIEP are the diversity of tasks and the continuous learning opportunities. From working on translation projects to editing technical documents, Jon has found joy in the variety of work and the chance to constantly improve his language skills. Most important to Jon, however, is the transformative experience of helping others realize their potential as educators. He hopes that these individuals will, in turn, inspire the next generation of learners at NEIEP.