By Alan Wolf, YSN
ProSource, the nation’s largest audio, video and integration buying group, has extended free member access to its online educational program through September 2021.
The consumer tech affiliate of BrandSource launched ProSource University (PSU) last May, and initially provided free access to the platform’s CEDIA educational content and group and vendor training sessions through Sept. 30.
Related: Class is in Session for AVB University’s Fall Training Series
Since then ProSource has added an exclusive Lighting Technology Certification Program and a Project Management Certification Program, along with a customized selection of videos, content and employee engagement programs.
See: ProSource Adds Personalized Packages to University Program
As an added back-to-school bonus, the buying group has now also suspended PSU access fees for a full year.
The announcement comes as BrandSource’s own AVB University continues its new Fall Series of vendor and business training sessions, announced at this month’s 2020 Virtual Convention. The complimentary program, which runs through October, features bi-weekly vendor trainings and business seminars that can be accessed through the BrandSource Backroom. This week’s program includes product trainings by Serta Simmons and Beko on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and a session on sales mastery with speaker Tamara Bunte on Thursday, Oct. 1.
ProSource’s one-year tuition suspension dovetails with unprecedented growth in the consumer tech sector, making PSU even more indispensable to members who are managing demand by training and developing new and current employees within the platform’s singular and cohesive environment.
ProSource members concurred. “I find the PSU learning system to be valuable on multiple levels,” said ListenUp’s Jeff Blundell, Manager, Technical Operations, ESC-T/D. “As a manager, it provides a guided path for various roles that can be personalized for our organization. As an instructor/supervisor, the content can be assigned to employees for their individual scenarios with easy oversight by the supervisory team.”
“As a learner,” he continued, “it is easy to navigate and gives a sense of accomplishment in addition to the valuable content.”
For Michelle Ferlauto, COO of SoundVision LLC, it’s “the thoughtful variety and specialty of courses” that she appreciates most. “There are education courses for every member of your staff regardless of position,” she said.
Brian Sowden, Technical Field Supervisor at Philadelphia dealer World Wide Stereo, described PSU as “invaluable” for his company. “The online resources have been the keystone in centralizing our training process, whether it’s for a new hire or seasoned technicians,” he said. “It has allowed us to create content as needed, organize and track our virtual meetings, and assess the training progress of our employees. We’ve had so much success in our installation department that we are starting to ramp up our curriculum to expand into our online support team, sales, customer service and marketing.”
ProSource said it will continue to enhance PSU’s curriculum by developing additional content going forward, including courses on sales, leadership development, operations and other related disciplines.
BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
