84 Lumber’s Blueprint for Training Success

From entry-level roles to advanced leadership positions, Senior Director Talent Development at 84 Lumber Sue Kasko shares how the company’s commitment to training — from the hands-on Lumber Camp experience to cutting-edge digital learning tools — is transforming the employee journey.

Show Notes:

84 Lumber’s Sue Kasko explains how their culture of promoting from within and innovative approaches to learning, like Lumber Camp and career lattices, drive employee engagement and development. Her key takeaways include the following: 

• Focus on Developing Talent: 84 Lumber is deeply committed to promoting from within, with nearly 100% of store managers and higher-level leaders starting in entry-level positions, creating a culture of continuous learning and career development.
• Diverse Training Methods: The company employs a variety of training methods, including classroom learning, online courses, videos, and in-person sessions like Lumber Camp, ensuring that employees receive relevant, contextual training tailored to their roles.
• Managers as Trainers: 84 Lumber empowers its managers to take on the role of trainers, providing on-the-job guidance and support, which helps adapt learning to specific market conditions and individual employee needs.
• Innovative Learning Tools: The company uses microlearning techniques such as "Five Minute Foundations" videos and mobile apps that provide quick, accessible training, helping employees keep up with ever-evolving product knowledge and skills.
• Focus on Durable Learning: 84 Lumber incorporates durable learning principles into their programs, aiming to make learning stickier and more impactful by connecting training content to real-world applications and employee experiences.

ABOUT 84 LUMBER

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber Co. is the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates 320 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in 33 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking, and drywall. A certified national women’s business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy, 84 Lumber was named as one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 by Newsweek and was named one of America’s Top Retailers 2024 by USA Today. The company was also recognized as one of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2023 by Forbes. The company also made the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2023. For more information, visit www.84lumber.com.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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