Upskilling early talent project coordinators for an American Construction, Mining, and Engineering Equipment Manufacturer.
SITUATION
Our client needed to address a skills gap in Peoria, Illinois, their local market. They needed project coordinators with Microsoft Project experience, which few local companies used, providing little incentive for local professionals to develop that skillset. Their work has a constant need for project coordinator support and they had to balance their restricted budget and limited local talent while also accounting for the constant growth of the overall company. Our client’s main goal was to provide support for all projects at the same cost. They planned to bring in beginner-level candidates and train them to save on costs. Because of our prior working relationship with the client, they chose Apex to provide our sourcing expertise.
"I wanted to reach out to you to recognize [consultant] and his efforts on one of our projects. He has been able to keep our PMO plans up to date, notify me when changes are made, as well as respond to urgent requests in a timely manner. He has been doing a great job of driving results and helping me understand where the major risks of our project are."
- Client Manager
Apex Systems implemented a comprehensive Talent Development solution, employing a tailor-made instructor-led bootcamp to elevate the skills of 10 junior consultants in project management and Microsoft Project. To ensure effective guidance throughout this endeavor, Apex tapped into the expertise of a practice leader well-versed in project management skillsets, as well as our specialized Early Talent team trained in consultant upskilling. The project was jointly managed by both Apex and our client's management team. Apex provided a dedicated Microsoft Project trainer, while the client oversaw company-specific training initiatives. Our team facilitated skills assessments, coaching, continuous learning, performance management, and retention activities, including team-building exercises and in-person support. By equipping our client's Project Management Office (PMO) with these enhanced resources, they were able to standardize their internal client charges, regardless of the resource's level of experience. Whether a resource has one year or 15 years of experience, the client PMO could ensure consistent pricing for all their internal clients.
RESULT
Apex successfully enhanced customer satisfaction by supplying qualified consultants to fulfill their upcoming project requirements. By delivering a team of 10 skilled consultants and ensuring 100% retention within the initial six months, we not only added immediate value but also mitigated risks by proactively addressing potential issues through regular meetings. This strategic approach resulted in an overall enhancement of skill maturity across all our consultants through a high-quality talent development program tailored to elevate the capabilities of these 10 consultants. Moreover, we effectively reduced costs by upskilling junior resources at a more affordable rate compared to experienced project coordinators. Additionally, Apex streamlined the client's operations by initiating training with an external trainer, who imparted valuable insights to the consultants, optimizing their performance. By providing 80 hours of training and overseeing continuous learning initiatives, we effectively saved the client valuable time and effort, enabling management to focus on other critical tasks.
