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RS Academy Training

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, FOR REAL PROFESSIONALS.

The most successful store operators in the industry understand that Retail Shipping is not a simple business. There are literally tens of thousands of rules, regulations, best business practices and details that you must know before you can represent yourself as a real expert. Quality training and education for you and your staff is an absolute necessity.

The Retail Shipping Academy was created to provide professional training materials and content, delivered by qualified industry experts using a variety of modalities to deliver the knowledge — and to quantify your expertise.

Whether you prefer do-it-yourself manuals, CDs and DVDs or “live” training, the goal of RS Academy is to deliver relevant, up-to-date materials that will ensure the title of “Retail Shipping Expert” is accurate when you display it to your customers.

 

RS Academy Certification Training

RS Academy live classes are 4-hour, college level certification courses developed by RSA exclusively for RSA Members. All course content has been fully vetted for accuracy and cover any and all relevant rules, science (physics of packaging), regulations, and best business practices. RS Academy instructors are industry professionals and have been certified by RSA as subject matter experts.

All students must pass a final exam for each class in order to receive RS Academy Certification. Course certificates are intended to be displayed in your store so clientele can see the measures you’ve taken to invest in your knowledge base.

RS Academy classes are taught live and online throughout the year.

 

Live Class Pricing

Basic Members: $120.00 per class.    Premium Members: $90.00 per class   PackageHub Members: $60.00 per class

 

Shipping Training

Topics Covered:
  • Carrier rules and terms of carriage
  • Shipment size and weight limitations
  • Insurance and shipment value protection
  • Carrier packaging requirements
  • Shipping options
  • Package processing
  • Shipping product options
  • Service guarantees
  • Automation options
  • Carrier account setup
Shipping 101
Basics of Small Package Transportation

Designed for new store owners and staff, this course covers the basics and the essential rules, requirements, science, and best practices for small package shipping in the United States. Subjects covered: specific carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, USPS) rules and terms of carriage, shipment size and weight limitations, insurance and shipment value protection, packaging requirements, package processing, pricing, shipping product options, service guarantees, automation options, and carrier account setup.


 
Topics Covered:
  • Carrier-specific regulations & updates
  • Customs documentation
  • Restrictions and Prohibitions
  • Red Flag countries
  • Shipping options
  • Resources & Forms
Shipping 102
International Shipping

International shipping is a substantial profit center for retail shipping centers, but remembering every detail, procedure, and regulation can be a challenge. Rules and services can change every day - and knowing how to adjust to those changes can mean the difference between great profits and great losses! This course builds on Shipping 101: Basics of Small Package Transportation. Attendees are highly encouraged to complete Shipping 101 prior to attending Shipping 102.


 
Topics Covered:
  • Carrier rules and terms of carriage
  • Shipment size and weight limitations
  • Insurance and shipment value protection
  • Carrier packaging requirements
  • Shipping options
Shipping 103
Freight & Air Cargo

Large freight is an increasingly important menu item for today's successful Retail Shipping Store. As a high-potential profit center, freight can be complex and certainly has risk, so understanding the rules, options, and opportunities is crucial. This course covers the details-National Motor Freight Classification, trade lanes, carriers, Full Truckload, Less Than full Load (LTL), Air Cargo, Sea Container, shipment preparation (crating, palletizing, specialty packaging/handling), pickup and delivery options, and pricing. Become your neighborhood freight expert and start packing the profit pounds on your bottom line.

 

 
 

Packing Training

Topics Covered:
  • The Distribution Environment
  • Carrier Requirements
  • The Dynamics of Packaging
  • Shipping Containers
  • Cushioning Materials
  • Packing Tools
  • The Packaging Process
  • Packaging Demonstrations
Packing 101
Packing Essentials

Find a box in the nearest dumpster, throw your stuff in, slap some duct tape on, mark it "Fragile", then ship it. Simple, right? Wrong. Many Retail Shipping Store operators make a grave mistake in thinking that packaging is simple. But in order to properly prepare your packages to survive the rigors of the transportation network, you must follow very specific carrier rules and the physics of packaging dynamics. This class covers both the science and rules; containers, packaging/cushioning materials and how to use the "right" one for the job, packaging techniques, sealing, carrier rules, and tricks of the trade that will make you a true packaging expert. Topics include:


 
Topics Covered:
  • Packaging Dynamics
  • Carrier Considerations
  • Packaging Design
  • Corrugated Carton Design & Construction
  • Carton Design Diagrams
Packing 102
Advanced Packing

Stock box sizes don’t always fit items being shipped or sent via freight.  Custom box/container design and construction is an art, and the product can be a significant profit center with extraordinary margins.  Learn – and practice - professional techniques for custom box building for fragile, large, awkward and valuable items. Become your neighborhood Packaging Expert. The lab-based course curriculum includes:

Store Operations

Topics Covered:
  • Understanding Your Customers
  • Gain & Retain Customers
  • Professionalism
  • Elicit & Utilize Feedback
  • Positive Language
Operations 101
Outstanding Customer Service

This course is designed to help develop industry-specific, superior customer service skills. Learn about positive language, relationship building, and why customer service is more than just a smile. This course examines various scenarios, such as dealing with difficult customers and eliciting customer feedback. The learning outcome of this class is critical to the success of your business. Topics include:


Topics Covered:
  • CMRA Guidelines
  • Compliance Issues
  • Mail Center Security
  • Aviation Security and Hazardous Materials
  • USPS Approved Shipper Program
Operations 102
CMRA Mailbox Rental Management
& USPS Approved Shipper Program

If postal services are a part of your product mix, the United States Postal Service plays a vital role in your day-to-day operation. As a regulator, the USPS requires compliance with the rules and regulations imposed on private mail box rental services through the Commercial Mail Receiving Agent (CMRA) program. And as a business partner, the USPS Approved Shipper Program provides marketing tools and operational support for reselling USPS products and services in your center. This three-hour operations course covers all the basics – and all the bases. Topics include:

Topics Covered:
  • Site Selection
  • Store Operations
  • General Administration
  • Products & Profit Centers
  • Product & Service Pricing
  • Store Design & Finish-Out
  • Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
  • Marketing Strategies
  • Hiring & Training
  • Merchandising
  • Point-of-Sale Systems
  • Carrier Account Setup
  • Store Inventory
  • Store Security

RS BootCamp

Owners & Managers Seminar

Class Time: 9:00a to 5:00p

RS Boot Camp was developed by RS Academy for both new store owners and veteran operators and staff. As the seminar title indicates, this 8 hour intensive program provides a comprehensive overview of what it takes to thrive in the retail shipping and business services industry. Store owners will learn all the right steps, but of equal importance, we also show you how to avoid the costly mistakes many owners make. Veteran owners and staff will fine-tune and get their stores ‘back in fighting shape’. Our goal is to help you build a Million-Dollar-Store.

This seminar is presented by Brandon Gale, RS Associates President and 30+-year industry veteran and multi-store owner along with industry suppliers, carriers and service providers.

Whether you are just getting started or a 10-year industry veteran, BootCamp will get you into “fighting form” so you can compete at the highest level.
 


BootCamp Pricing

PackageHub® Franchisee

First Student: $375
Additional Students: $275

RS Premium Member

First Student: $390
Additional Students: $290

RS Basic Member

First Student: $475
Additional Students: $375


 
Upcoming BootCamp Classes:

MAY 16th | East Syracuse, NY

HOTEL: Embassy Suites Syracuse| 6646 Old Collamer Road South | East Syracuse, NY | 13057 ($199/Night)


NOTICE: Some RS BootCamp training events are presented as part of the PostalMate® Regional Training events!  

Retail Shipping Associates (RSA) and PackageHub Business Centers (PBC)® are thrilled to participate as vendors, offering our RS BootCamp class and the FREE PackageHub Special Presentation.

Due to the RS BootCamp Seminar and PostalMate® Regional Training event being separate in cost, you MUST register AND pay for each event individually!

CANCELLATION POLICY: RS BootCamp Registrations are non-refundable once the course has sold out, or two days prior to the date of the event, whichever comes first.

 

Online Training

RS Academy Certification Training

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, FOR REAL PROFESSIONALS

 
Available Certifications:
  • Shipping 101
  • Shipping 102
  • Operations 101
  • Operations 102

RS Academy online classes are 4-hour, college level certification courses developed by RSA exclusively for RSA Members. All course content has been fully vetted for accuracy and cover any and all relevant rules, science (physics of packaging), regulations, and best business practices.

RS Academy instructors are industry professionals and have been certified by RSA as subject matter experts. All students must pass a final exam for each class in order to receive RS Academy Certification. Course certificates are intended to be displayed in your store so clientele can see the measures you’ve taken to invest in your knowledge base.


Certification Training Pricing

PackageHub® Franchisee

Per Student: $60

RS Premium Member

Per Student: $90

RS Basic Member

Per Student: $120


 

Available On-Demand Training

All RS Academy On-Demand Certification Training is available through our online training portal DigitalChalk. Be sure to watch the brief "How To" videos on the Training Portal landing page for detailed instructions on how to register for classes, navitgate the training courses, and track your results. Click the button below to get started today!

Training Courses:

Shipping 101: Basics of Small Package Transportation
Shipping 102: International Shipping
Operations 101: Outstanding Customer Service
Operations 102: Mailbox Management & The CMRA Program

Coming Soon!

Packing 101: Packing Essentials


Important Attendee Info:
  • HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Register for 1 RS Certification at a time. 
  • 60 Day Completion Window – All courses must be completed within 60 calendar days of starting the course. If you do not complete the course within 60 days, you will need to pay again to retake the course. Please take your time to learn and retain course information to ensure you pass.
  • Must Use Unique Email Address – All online training attendees MUST register with a unique email address. For example, multiple students from the same store cannot use the store's email address for all students.
  • Failed Course(s) – If a member fails an RS Certification class, they must re-register and pay the full course fee to retake it in order to become certified.

Refund Policy:

Refunds will not be made after the course has been started. Courses are considered started once the workbook section has been accessed.

All course refunds will include the non-refundable platform fee of $6 per course. This will be deducted from the total purchase amount and the remaining balance will be refunded.


Cancellation Policy:

All courses are non-refundable once materials haven been distributed. Once the class has sold out, or two days prior to the date of the event, whichever comes first.

 

PBC Knowledge Exams POWERED BY RS ACADEMY

Alternative Option for Meeting Training Requirements for Veteran Stores
 
Exam Catagories:
  • Private Mailbox Management (CMRA)
  • Professional Packing
  • Domestic Shipping
  • International Shipping
  • Customer Service
Experienced PackageHub® operators have built valuable knowledge through years of serving customers and adapting to an evolving retail shipping industry.

These industry knowledge exams are designed to test a veteran operators knowledge in the core subjects relevant to a Retail Shipping store. Passing these exams will meet the training requirements of PackageHub Business Centers.

PackageHub® franchisees who joined the franchise prior to 2024 may choose to demonstrate their existing knowledge by passing the corresponding PBC Knowledge Exams Powered By RS Academy rather than retaking the required RS Academy courses.
NOTE: The PBC Knowledge Exam Powered By RS Academy is an alternative to RS Academy Training, intended for experienced operators—you DO NOT need to complete both. Please note that the PBC Knowledge Exam Powered By RS Academy does NOT provide a certificate upon completion; only RS Academy Certification Training offers official certification.

Important: 90-Day Availability Window
The PBC Knowledge Exams Powered By RS Academy will be available for eligible franchisees for 90 days only –  Ending SEPTEMBER 7, 2026. At the conclusion of this 90-day period, any franchisee who has not either:
  • earned a passing grade on the applicable PBC Knowledge Exam Powered By RS Academy, or
  • completed certification in the corresponding required RS Academy course
will be required to complete the missing RS Academy course to remain in compliance with the PackageHub franchise agreement. This is your opportunity to choose the training path that best reflects your experience: refresh and strengthen your knowledge through current RS Academy Certification Training, or demonstrate your existing proficiency through the PBC Knowledge Exams Powered By RS Academy during the limited availability period.

How To Get Started
To access the PBC Knowledge Exam Powered By RS Academys, go to the RS Academy Certification Training portal by clicking the button below. Once in the portal, click on "Catalog" to access the available Knowledge Exams.
 

Training Events

RS Academy Professional Skills Certification Training classes are presented “live” throughout the year. Our entire course curriculum is offered at the Retail Shippers Expo and Trade Show, the annual national convention for our industry. RSA also hosts RS Weekend Workshops and participates in other regional events throughout the year in which we present the most-requested certification classes.

Nothing scheduled at this time.