The COVID-19 pandemic changed the landscape of how business gets done across almost every industry in the marketplace today. The multifamily sector, along with so many others, experienced labor shortages, and absences or delay in supplies, appliances and equipment, in addition to restrictions on in-person property tours. These factors all necessitated new ways for owners and managers to function. Retaining current employees and investing more time and resources into them became a top priority.
Training staff and keeping team members updated on operations proved to be challenging, as in-person classes were no longer a safe alternative. Staying updated on the latest legalities of the Fair Housing Act, collecting rent, or servicing HVAC heat pumps and other equipment became more difficult than ever.
Envolve LLC, a vertically integrated owner and operator of multifamily housing, was able to keep its approximately 900-member staff on track despite pandemic challenges. In large part, Envolve LLC’s success can be attributed to its long-time partnership with Lowe’s Pro Supply. Lowe’s Pro Supply is a division of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., the home improvement firm based in Charlotte, N.C.
Once shutdowns began due to COVID restrictions, both companies recognized the need for an alternative to in-person classes. Lowe’s Pro Supply reacted quickly and made a seamless switch to virtual learning, utilizing educational tools, programs and visuals. Envolve studied the Lowe’s Pro Academy training catalog and determined that custom classes would better suit their needs.
The private curriculum features 24 classes a year: 2 classes per month, taught by Lowe’s Pro Supply staff. Envolve also offers additional training through its online university. For subject matter such as law, REAC training, marketing, leadership, motivation and customer service, Envolve partners with third-party experts.
From the start, the virtual learning platform has been effective and offered some advantages, namely accessibility. All staff members across the nation have the option of taking any class and Lowe’s Pro Supply encourages active participation. Lowe’s Pro Supply classes enable Envolve staff to develop new skills, which has been instrumental in mitigating fallout from the post-pandemic labor shortage. More than ever before, Envolve is hiring from within instead of outsourcing or hiring outside the company. Additionally, employees are being promoted from within at a higher level.
Once deemed safe, in-person classes will resume. However, virtual training isn’t going anywhere, as it has made staying current accessible to so many. Hybrid solutions are always being considered.