Corporate Universities...More than Just Training
Corporate
Universities are an increasingly popular vehicle for organizations seeking
an integrated means of delivering training, capturing knowledge and sharing
information throughout the organization. Originally rooted in corporate
training departments, corporate universities are broadening their impact
by focusing their efforts on identifying the learning that must occur for
the organization to fulfill its mission and for individuals to perform their
job. New emphasis on training focuses on the concepts of just-in-time learning,
competency mapping, skills assessments, certification planning and knowledge
portals.
Corporate universities take many forms. Some exist as physical structures where individuals go for classes and instruction. Others remain staffed with a team of trainers that can deliver face-to-face customized training. Still others rely heavily on e-learning tools to deliver instruction and learning portals to guide the learning process. A growing percentage of successful corporate universities take a blended approach to their learning architecture, utilizing a variety of delivery means to reach their learners. Corporate university structures are being utilized by non-profit organizations as well.
Hezel Associates recently completed the initial development phase for Habitat University, a corporate university tool for Habitat for Humanity International. HFHI faces numerous challenges in extending its ministry to eliminate worldwide poverty housing. Among these challenges is the need to develop a strong base of leaders throughout the world and to develop a means by which new local affiliates can begin the process of building houses. Habitat for Humanity CEO Millard Fuller envisioned Habitat University as an entity that would inspire the next generation of HFHI leadership and advance the intellectual thinking on worldwide poverty issues. According to Mr. Fuller, Habitat University needs to be more than just an enhanced training department.
Hezel Associates was engaged to conduct a thorough needs assessment for the Habitat University concept, develop a strategic framework around which to build Habitat University and develop a work plan for its implementation. Through a series of interviews, surveys and focus groups with Habitat for Humanity employees, affiliates, and advisors, the Hezel team identified the key issues and challenges confronting HFH affiliates around the world. Technology access varied widely -- from those with high-speed Internet access to those without consistent access to electricity. Access to external funding and administrative expertise also varied. However, a significant amount of commonality existed in the challenges affiliates faced regarding staff development, working with a Board of Directors, learning about best practices and reducing staff turnover.
In collaboration with key members of the HFH community, Hezel Associates developed a strategy for Habitat University to address the underlying needs surfaced during the needs assessment process. We concluded that a blended learning approach incorporating a variety of delivery vehicles (face-to-face, CD-ROM, Internet, print) would be the best means of reaching the greatest number of learners. This approach would be the most flexible to respond to global learning orientation differences and technological access variation. Reusable learning objects were proposed as the core of Habitat University, to be accessed, modified and shared as appropriate.
The implementation of a global corporate university is challenging for any organization. Hezel Associates recommended a one year pilot of Habitat University in two different continents to further refine the project before global implementation. For a globally distributed non-profit like HFHI, the challenges of implementation are intensified because of the variety of funding sources and the geographic settings within which it operates. A phased implementation approach will enable HFHI to spread its financial need, to build examples of successful learning experiences and to develop its network of internal and external content partnerships.
As it evolves, Habitat University will become a catalyst for change - both within HFHI and for the entire community of individuals and organizations committed to eliminating worldwide poverty housing.