ASA University Empowers Success

ASA University, a leading provider of comprehensive training and educational programs for the PHCP/PVF industry, has been instrumental in shaping the success stories of numerous ASA member companies. Whether our members need help with developing and designing a program from the ground up, or just need some help with the tough stuff, ASA University can help.

In three unique case studies, we’ll demonstrate how some of our members put ASA University’s considerable training acumen to work! Read on to find out how Bruce Supply Corporation, Silver Creek Supply, and White Star Supply took advantage of the expertise and benefits of ASA University to enhance their training programs and propel their businesses to new heights.

Bruce Supply Corp: Overcoming Price Barriers for Effective Training

Bruce Supply Corporation recognized the value of training its workforce but faced challenges in finding affordable solutions for their new hires in the warehouse. We recommend courses like Introduction to Steel, Stainless Steel, Iron Pipe, and Fittings and Overview of Wholesale Distribution and others. ASA University went to work when they discovered their training needs. Using input from Bruce Supply’s training team, the ASA team helped identify and recommend key training activities to address employee needs. With ASA University's support, they developed a tailored pricing structure for their 12 students. By leveraging the in-house expertise of ASA, Bruce Supply’s Executive Assistant, Zuzanna Zurek worked with the ASA team to develop a program specifically for Bruce Supply – and specifically for their budget!

Through designing a customized program, Bruce Supply was able to keep within budget while still achieving their training goals. Rather than using a pre-built, off-the-shelf program, ASA built the program from the ground up, selecting and vetting courses throughout the process. That meant that Bruce Supply was getting only the training they needed, when they needed it, reducing budgetary spent up front.

Once the final plan was in place, the ASA University team did the heavy lifting – setting up users, sending enrollment notices, and getting learners ready to start training! By emphasizing the importance of training and ensuring affordability, Bruce Supply Corp proved that investment in employee development should never be hindered by financial constraints.

Silver Creek Supply: Creating Internal Learning Pathways for Growth

Silver Creek Supply had a specific vision for a tiered training program, aiming to provide comprehensive knowledge at each level. Collaborating closely with ASA University, they designed a four-tiered training program – much like in college coursework, each training tier would become increasingly more challenging (100-level to 400-level) and would build upon the previous tier of training.

ASA University worked diligently with Jared Johnson, Regional Manager at Silver Creek Supply to fine-tune the curriculum for each level. ASA-U listened to the needs of Jared and his team, uncovered specific skill gap areas, and identified training challenges. While structuring the approach, careful attention was given to the proficiency level of each course. Eventually, what resulted incorporated courses such as customer service role plays, Essentials courses on job-role proficiencies, as well as many ProductPro courses to give their employees a firm footing for product knowledge.

By aligning the training program with Silver Creek Supply's requirements, ASA University empowered their workforce with the skills needed to excel in their roles and made it manageable for the employees who would be progressing through each tier of training.

Click here to see Jared Johnson's testimonial on working with ASA-U!

White Star Supply: Job Roles in Focus

White Star Supply had a large training task facing them - with 45 students to enroll, they sought a comprehensive training program that would facilitate smooth onboarding and continuous development for their employees, while also being easy and lightweight for managers.

A multi-functional team at White Star Supply - Katie Tindol, Purchasing; Brad Shanks, President; and David Schagren, Account Executive - turned to ASA University to help make their vision reality. Through many calls, emails, and meetings, ASA-U became their trusted training partner, addressing their learning queries, sharing training best practices, and providing expert recommendations on how to grow their own program.

By collaborating closely with White Star Supply, ASA University developed a tailored onboarding and ongoing development training programs for unique populations, based around job roles and the skills needed to do the job right. What resulted was seven unique training tracks covering Warehouse staff/management, Counter, Showroom, Purchasing, Shipping/Receiving, and Inventory Training. Each training track was expertly crafted for relevance to each job function, while still providing training growth opportunities.

ASA University’s Brightspace learning management system was a major bonus for White Star. The turnkey learning platform was simple, easy-to-use, and was available day or night for employees to complete their training. Having ASA advisors standing ready to help with enrollments and notifications was also a boon. ASA University was happy to demonstrate how easy it was to get training with ASA-U. White Star Supply had a solid partnership in ASA-U – ensuring that White Star Supply's workforce was equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive.

The success stories of Bruce Supply Corp, Silver Creek Supply, and White Star Supply exemplify the transformative impact of ASA University in shaping effective training programs. By working closely with these companies, ASA University demonstrated its commitment to understanding their unique needs, overcoming challenges, and providing customized solutions.

With ASA University's comprehensive training resources, user-friendly portal, and expertise, these companies achieved remarkable things. As more organizations recognize the importance of investing in training and development, ASA University continues to be a trusted partner in the supply industry.

Let us help YOU with YOUR training challenges. Reach out to us at education@asa.net and let’s get started on your success story