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At the heart of any technology company lies a crucial challenge: keeping up with rapid industry changes while empowering employees to thrive. This is especially pertinent in today as skills are quickly becoming outdated.
EchoStar is a leader in fully integrated global communications and content delivery. For decades, they have been dedicated to advancing technology and empowering communities, ensuring that technological breakthroughs have a meaningful impact. However, amidst the rapid technological changes, their vision to change how the world communicates by connecting people and things meant addressing this challenge with forward-thinking strategies and a clear commitment to workforce development.
Brian Alt, EchoStar's director of technical operations, is at the helm of the company’s efforts to support customers and employees. Overseeing operations, platforms, and systems, Alt dedicates his efforts to ensuring the workforce is equipped with the skills they need to not only meet the demands of the business but also excel personally.
Through collaboration with Skillsoft Global Knowledge, EchoStar began an inspiring transformation, equipping their employees with the tools to unlock their potential and propel the business forward.
‘One Size Doesn’t Fit All’
Amid acquisitions, organization changes, and the rapidly changing tech landscape, EchoStar’s workforce faced several challenges regarding skills development. Many employees, especially newer hires who had recently graduated from college, had the solid foundational skills required for their jobs, but they needed additional training to gain hands-on experience and meet the evolving needs of the industry.
“Managers are busy, and although it’s important, you can’t personally coach everybody up,” Alt explained. “You need some additional help.”
Beyond the gaps in evolving technical expertise within the company, the varying preferred learning styles among EchoStar’s employees posed another challenge for implementing effective training initiatives.
“One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to training,” said Alt. To encourage investment and participation in training, EchoStar needed options that catered to employees’ individual learning styles while also accommodating different lifestyles and family situations outside of work.
EchoStar’s leadership also expressed a desire to cultivate the next generation of business leaders while addressing the rapid pace of innovation in technology.
Alt described the sense of urgency, noting, “You cannot get complacent with any technology or your skillsets…it’s always evolving.”
This prompted employees to reflect on their career trajectories and reinforced the importance of upskilling to remain relevant, enhance job performance, and promote career growth.
A Personalized Solution Through Instructor-Led Training
To tackle these challenges, EchoStar turned to Skillsoft Global Knowledge for its unparalleled expertise in instructor-led training. This partnership offered a range of tailored learning solutions designed to fill technical gaps and engage employees across different roles, including:
- Private Group Training: Customized learning sessions designed to address specific organizational and employee needs, ensuring a targeted approach to skill-building.
- Instructor-Led Bootcamps: Intensive, hands-on workshops led by experts to quickly upskill employees in critical areas.
- Certification-Driven Courses: Structured programs focused on earning industry-recognized certifications that enhance professional credibility and expertise.
“You don’t have time until you make time for it,” Alt emphasized when discussing the importance of prioritizing personal professional development. “You have to decide that it is something that’s critical to you.”
With Alt from EchoStar collaborating closely with members of Skillsoft Global Knowledge, the two teams crafted customized training programs designed to meet the specific needs of employees across the company and ensure alignment with the company’s goals.
The programs included certification-focused classes such as CCNA and Red Hat and more advanced tracks for individuals eager to deepen their expertise. Specialized bootcamps, focusing on areas like Tableau reporting and data analytics were also introduced to address industry-specific needs. Importantly, all training courses were designed with flexibility in mind, allowing EchoStar’s team to balance work and personal responsibilities while progressing in their learning.
Through ongoing collaboration, EchoStar refined learning plans to create rewarding and impactful experiences for every participant and lay a foundation for continuous learning and progress within the company.
EchoStar’s Workforce Transformation
The results of this comprehensive effort were immediate and significant. Eager to upskill and adapt to new challenges, employees who participated in the instructor-led training (ILT) programs responded positively to the training initiatives and reported multiple advancements:
- Improved performance led to an enhanced understanding of their roles. Certification programs proved particularly impactful, with success stories including employees who earned foundational certifications, and then subsequently took on more complex projects. “The interest and engagement we saw was remarkable,” said Alt. “Having these programs in place created an opportunity for real growth.” This upskilling effort not only bridged critical technical gaps but also helped cultivate a workforce ready to tackle new challenges.
- Productivity soared as employees gained skills that allowed them to thrive individually while contributing to the company’s overall success, increasing confidence in their new roles and skillsets.
- Retention rates improved as employees began to see the company’s dedication to their personal and professional development. “People will be loyal to a company that invests in their growth,” Alt reflected, emphasizing the importance of this commitment from a leadership perspective.
The expanded knowledge base that has occurred as a result of the partnership with Skillsoft Global Knowledge has allowed EchoStar to include new areas of training, such as project management and various technical specializations like VMware.
These training programs have become a vehicle for career growth, prompting employees to recognize the importance of upskilling in securing their future and staying competitive in an evolving industry.
A Workforce Ready to Face the Challenges of Tomorrow
At EchoStar, training isn’t just about keeping up with advancements in technology. It’s about empowering people, fostering loyalty, and creating a workforce ready to take on the challenges of the future.
Through its partnership with Skillsoft Global Knowledge, EchoStar has demonstrated that investing in employee development is one of the most effective ways to drive business success in the face of rapid change. From filling technical gaps to building personalized experiences, their story is a testament to the power of blended learning and strategic upskilling initiatives.
As they look to the future, EchoStar remains committed to elevating its training initiatives. By maintaining a focus on customization and adapting to evolving business and employee needs, EchoStar aims to make learning an integral part of its company culture. The goal is to establish a sustainable structure that not only fuels employee growth but also empowers the organization to stay competitive.
With a foundation of collaboration and a vision for growth, EchoStar is setting the stage for continued success. If your organization is facing similar challenges, consider how custom instructor-led training solutions could transform your team’s potential.
EchoStar didn’t just invest in training; they invested in their future. Perhaps it’s time for your company to do the same.