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OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW
Valspar is a leader in the coatings industry, manufacturing and selling a large variety of products such as paints, varnishes, coatings, stains, and
finishes. Valspar is a major world-wide provider of products to stain and finish furniture. Quality furniture finishing requires superior products
and personnel who are highly trained and experienced in color/finishing technology to ensure finish quality, color, and uniformity.
CLIENT OBJECTIVE
Valspar needed to more quickly train a number of color/finishing technicians at remote locations in China, as well as supplement training
in the U.S.
TARGET AUDIENCE
- People with little experience in applying and correcting finishes on fine furniture. Initial geographic target is China and USA.
RUSSELL ASSOCIATES’ SOLUTION
Russell Associates developed a highly effective, blended learning program in English, that consisted of 20 units plus a final exercise, designed to train technicians in six months, as opposed
to the traditional four to six years.
The program consists of Computer-Based Interactive Training (CBIT), an Instructor’s manual, a Student manual, and specific performance tasks and
criteria. Russell Associates designed and developed the specifications as well as a list of the materials required for each task. Training and
tasks are to be delivered/completed in a furniture finishing facility environment.
The program included tests, evaluations, performance demonstrations, and reviews. The program was tested, then Russell Associates translated
the material into Mandarin Chinese.
TRAINING METHOD
- Computer-Based Interactive Training (CBIT)
- Student Manual
- Instructor’s Manual
- Performance Demonstration
PROGRAM LENGTH
- Class Time – 4 to 6 months
- CBIT Time – 8 hours scheduled over 4 to 6 months
- Program use – Ongoing
ADMINISTRATION
For security reasons, the training is contained on a “locked down” CD that is loaned to the student, as needed. Student performance is tracked and
available for viewing or printing. Student training manuals are the property of Valspar and are returned to Valspar if the student is no longer
associated with the Company.
Program results
The program is highly effective and in use in both China and the United States. The training cost per student is minimal and uses little
instructor time.
Comments
The Valspar HR and Training Director, stated
“An OUTSTANDING introduction to selling and servicing wood finishes containing 20 SOLID chapters covering everything we could have
hoped to include in this training program; you did a very THOROUGH job…..We sincerely believe that the corporation’s investment in
these materials can procure benefits far beyond those originally intended or envisioned!!”
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