New ALA Residential Lighting Training Manual Selling Fast

The lighting industry has changed significantly over the past several years. To help ALA members keep pace with evolving lighting technology and relay their expertise to consumers, builders, and designers, ALA consolidated the most essential lighting information into a comprehensive, easy-to-understand reference guide that provides the key information involved in specifying and selling lighting, called the Residential Lighting Training Manual (RLTM). 

Since its release last month, ALA has received an influx of orders for the new RLTM. In addition to a deep dive on LED and solid-state lighting sources, the RLTM contains information on all facets of decorative and architectural lighting for interior and exterior applications. Plus, it covers ceiling fans and lighting control systems. For companies that still do a significant amount of business in legacy light sources such as fluorescent, halogen, HID, and incandescent, there are sections that cover those areas as well. 

“The Residential Lighting Training Manual is a very comprehensive course,” notes long-time ALA educator Joe Rey-Barreau, AIA, IESNA, who is also a tenured Associate Professor at University of Kentucky’s College of Design. “It gives anyone who has not had any prior experience with lighting – or even people who have had some sales experience, but haven’t gotten into the more technical side – a phenomenal introduction to lighting,” he says.

Lighting professionals of all experience levels will appreciate the application recommendations for work areas, family or social spaces, and outdoors. The Glossary section also provides an essential resource for everyone in the lighting business. 

The revised RLTM is presented in seven modules for easy reference – covering everything from a basic introduction of light, color, electricity, dimming, lighting controls, decorative materials, and applications – plus sub-units for a total of 35 chapters over 800 pages. 

The RLTM is also the basis for ALA’s Lighting Specialist (LS) accreditation, which is one of ALA’s most recognized accreditations. In addition to demonstrating an individual’s complete knowledge of the industry, ALA-member showrooms with employees who hold active LS accreditations appear at the top of ALA’s consumer-facing showroom locator. 

Members can order the new Residential Lighting Training Manual online for $399. Those interested in earning their LS can also take an online course covering the RLTM. Upcoming courses can be found online here.