Beyond the Training Room – CloudThat’s Employee Training and Development

Introduction 

We are witnessing an unprecedented pace of technology and innovation. Staying ahead for companies now requires more than just keeping pace; it demands a workforce equipped with cutting-edge skills and practical expertise. The answer- Employee Training & Development.

CloudThat’s Employee Training and Development is one of a kind, not only a beacon of excellence but also a patented transformative initiative which goes beyond the ordinary, reshaping individuals into client-ready consultants armed with the latest technologies and hands-on proficiency. 

Imagine a training program where the boundaries between theory and real-world application blur, and where customization meets precision.

CloudThat’s innovative approach, fueled by a team of 150+ in-house certified experts, ensures that the journey from novice to proficient professional is not just efficient but also uniquely tailored to individual needs. 

Let’s unravel the layers of corporate training, dissecting each phase to reveal the methodology that goes into creating a workforce prepared not just for today’s challenges but for the ever-evolving demands of the future. 

Phase I: Learning Need Assessment & Fundamental Training 

The assessment phase is  critical for identifying the learning needs and gaps among the new hires especially but also for employees.

Running a pre-learning assessment before training employees is essential for several reasons: 

• Identifying Knowledge Gaps: Conducting a pre-learning assessment helps to identify the existing knowledge and skill levels of employees. This allows trainers to pinpoint specific areas where employees may lack proficiency or have knowledge gaps. Understanding these gaps is crucial for tailoring training programs to address individual needs effectively. 
   
• Customizing Training Programs: The results of pre-learning assessments enable organizations to customize training content based on the participants’ current understanding. Tailoring the training to the learners’ needs ensures that the content is relevant, engaging, and aligned with their skill levels. This personalized approach enhances the effectiveness of the training. 
   
• Optimizing Time and Resources: Pre-learning assessments help in optimizing training resources by focusing on areas that truly need improvement. By avoiding redundant training on topics that employees already understand, organizations can use their time and resources more efficiently, making the learning experience more targeted and cost-effective. 
   
• Setting Clear Learning Objectives: Assessment results help in setting clear and measurable learning objectives. Knowing the baseline knowledge of employees allows organizations to establish realistic goals for skill improvement. This clarity ensures that both trainers and participants have a shared understanding of what is expected to be achieved through the training.  

• Increasing Engagement and Motivation: Employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated when they perceive the training as relevant and beneficial to their professional development. Pre-learning assessments provide insights that can be used to communicate the relevance of the training, increasing participants’ motivation to actively participate and learn. 
   
• Measuring Training Effectiveness: By establishing a baseline through pre-learning assessments, organizations can later assess the impact and effectiveness of the training program. Post-training assessments can then be compared to the pre-learning results, providing valuable data on the progress and success of the training initiative. 

Thus, CloudThat conducts an in-depth analysis to determine the required skill sets based on the customer’s portfolio of client projects.  

The assessment helped answer key questions such as:  

• What are the priority technologies needed for upcoming projects?  
• What skills need to be ramped up or improved among the new hires?  
• Are there any critical skill gaps compared to regular hiring requirements?

CloudThat leveraged various methodologies for the assessment:  

• Interviews: One-on-one discussions with new hires and managers to understand strengths/weaknesses.  
• Assessments: Online pre-training assessments measured skill levels across key domains.  
• Benchmarking: Mapping skills against benchmarks needed for client projects.  

The assessments provides data-driven insights on the learning needs and guided a tailored curriculum design.

For example, when CloudThat’s experts assessed a group of new hires for their customer, Protiviti (the aim was to upskill them in end-end data lifecycle to make them project-ready), they found some important key points that helped alter and customize the next phases of learning plan. They found from the assessment that: 

• 70% of new hires needed intermediate training in SQL and database design.
  
• Advanced skills development required in data visualization tools like Tableau.
• Hands-on Azure platform experience identified as critical capability.

This phase builds a foundation for structuring the training program around the highest priority skill needs.

The insights directly fed into curriculum development focused on real-world job requirements. The phase focused on training the group on IT fundamental concepts and hands-on labs to reinforce key skills.

Phase II: Skills Transfer & Training Delivery 

Phase II focuses on skills transfer and training delivery in tech intensive key data and analytics domains. The objective was to go further and develop conceptual clarity and ability for real-world application among the trainees.   

During this phase, the emphasis was on taking a systematic approach to building proficiency in areas like cloud computing, and other technologies such as data fundamentals, Business Intelligence, Advanced Python, Advanced SQL, Azure services, and PySpark. These may differ from customer to customer as per their requirement.  

The training methodology utilizes an instructor-led format designed to be tech-intensive yet comprehensive in coverage. Hands-on learning is facilitated through assessments, projects, and dedicated mentorship.  
 
Instructor-Led Training  

The training sessions were conducted in an intensive, instructor-led format designed to build strong foundations in data and analytics.

Our expert trainers lead tech-heavy sessions focused on honing both conceptual knowledge and practical skills across a range of in-demand topics like: 

• Data Fundamentals: Understanding basic data concepts, types of data, data collection methods, data storage and more.
• Business Intelligence (BI): Learning end-to-end BI tools like Power BI, Tableau, Qlik Sense for data visualization, dashboarding and reporting.
  
  
• Advanced Python: Mastering Python for data science, including NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-Learn, NLP, AI/ML and more.
• Advanced SQL: Writing complex SQL queries across databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and BigQuery.

Regular assessments are always a crucial component of the training program during this phase, serving as a yardstick to measure proficiency in the covered topics.

These assessments not only gauge understanding but also provided trainees with an opportunity for self-evaluation. In instances where improvement was needed, our instructors offered personalized guidance.  

The assessments enabled us to track trainee progress through the course material. By testing comprehension of key concepts and techniques, we could identify areas needing additional focus. The results highlighted both individual and group strengths and weaknesses.  

This regular feedback mechanism empowered the trainees. They could clearly see where their knowledge was lacking and direct their efforts accordingly.

For the instructors, it enabled targeted and personalized coaching. We leveraged assessments to refine our teaching approach, spending more time on complex topics or those prone to misunderstanding.

This intensive combination of theory and hands-on practice equipped trainees with well-rounded proficiency in must-have data skills.  

Phase III: Implementation of Experiential Learning 

Phase III marked the core of the training, where knowledge is put into practice. The learners were provided with capstone projects and real-world problems, to not just assess and track progress but also prepare trainees for impactful data science roles professionally. Emphasizing practical applications through collaborative efforts, Phase III sets the stage for skill mastery.  

Participants undergo intensive training through hands-on projects that replicate real-world scenarios they may encounter at their company’s and respective projects.  

The experiential learning materials focus on building out scalable models and transforming business intelligence into actionable insights. Trainees work through multiple “missions” aimed at solving common solutions and challenges clients face across industries.  

For example, cohorts may develop solutions related to:  

• Data integration across disparate systems and workflows  
• Enriching customer profiles and optimizing the buying journey  
• Streamlining supply chains and operational efficiencies  
• Monitoring financial networks for anomalies and risk signals
  

At each step, participants leverage the latest tools and techniques in machine learning, statistical modeling, data warehousing, and visualization. Trainees workshop strategies collaboratively before implementing through hands-on labs.  

This real-world application cements learnings and builds job-ready expertise.

By the program’s conclusion, participants have gained end-to-end experience through simulated projects modeled on Protiviti’s client engagements. They’ve developed core technical skills but also honed soft skills in areas like analytical thinking, problem decomposition, stakeholder management, and conveying data insights.  

The immersive simulations and experiential approach accelerated their transition from trainees to client-ready consultants. Participants leave not just with knowledge but with tangible experience solving complex business challenges using next-gen data analytics.  

The hands-on approach:  

• Projects allowed trainees to apply concepts from data fundamentals, BI, Advanced Python, Advanced SQL, and more to tackle real-world business challenges. This cemented understanding of theoretical concepts.
  
  
• Delivering tangible analytics solutions for domains like marketing, finance, and computer vision underscored trainees’ ability to provide impactful insights.
• One-on-one mentorship enabled trainees to effectively navigate complex project requirements and apply appropriate data science techniques.
• The hands-on training culminated in job-ready data professionals equipped to drive data-informed decision making through analytical solutions.  

The program’s emphasis on real-world applications, backed by mentor guidance, empowered trainees to adeptly put learned skills into practice to deliver end-to-end data-driven solutions across diverse domains.

Doubt Resolution  

Supplementary doubt resolution classes played a crucial role in solidifying understanding of complex topics. These sessions provided an open forum for trainees to clarify lingering questions and address gaps in conceptual clarity. With an instructor to trainee ratio averaging 1:5, the setup was conducive for targeted redressal based on individual needs.  

Trainees were encouraged to document doubts or issues faced during self-study or assessments. These were then collated by our instructors who tailor-made doubt classes focused on topics that needed reinforcement. Apart from conceptual clarification, trainees also received guidance on real-world applications to tangibilize theoretical constructs.  

By proactively surfacing and resolving doubts, we were able to reinforce skills acquisition while preventing minor gaps from developing into major bottlenecks.

Conclusion

CloudThat’s training methodology provides a comprehensive approach to developing data professionals. The multi-phased program offers a progression from fundamentals to skills application tailored to the learners’ needs through pre-training assessments.  

The initial learning needs analysis phase analyzes skill gaps among new hires to identify priority areas for training. This enables CloudThat to customize the curriculum accordingly. Fundamental concepts are established through instructor-led sessions focused on technologies like Python, SQL, cloud computing and more.  

The next phase transfers these skills through intensive training across data analytics domains. Experienced instructors lead tech-heavy sessions combined with hands-on labs and projects to reinforce understanding. Regular assessments track progress and highlight areas needing additional coaching.  

The program culminates in an immersive experiential learning phase. Trainees tackle real-world data challenges through collaborative projects modeled on client engagements. One-on-one mentorship prepares them to deliver end-to-end analytics solutions. The emphasis on practical application accelerates their transition into client-ready professionals equipped to drive data-informed decisions.

Supplementary doubt resolution classes provide an open forum for addressing lingering questions and strengthening conceptual clarity. By proactively resolving knowledge gaps, CloudThat reinforces skills acquisition.

In summary, the end-to-end methodology develops well-rounded expertise through a blend of theory, skills development, and practical experience. Participants complete the program as data professionals ready to tackle complex business challenges with next-generation analytics.

About CloudThat

Established in 2011, CloudThat is a leading Cloud Training and Cloud Consulting services provider in India, USA, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Being a pioneer in the Cloud domain, CloudThat has special expertise in catering to mid-market and enterprise clients in all the major Cloud service providers like AWS, Microsoft, GCP, VMware, Databricks, HP, and more. Uniquely positioned to be a single source for both training and consulting for cloud technologies like Cloud Migration, Data Platforms, DevOps, IoT, and the latest technologies like AI/ML, it is a top-tier partner with AWS and Microsoft, winning more than 8 awards combined in 11 years. Recently, it was awarded the prestigious AWS Training Partner of the Year 2023 and won the Microsoft Superstars FY 2023 award in Asia & India. Leveraging their position as a leader in the market, CloudThat has trained 650k+ professionals in 500+ cloud certifications and delivered 300+ consulting projects for 100+ corporates in 28+ countries.