Hill’s award-winning Learning and Development (L&D) program, Hill University, is an online platform that caters to employees’ evolving professional needs and career growth. Beyond Hill University, Hill supports employees holistically, fostering a positive and meaningful work experience. Elizabeth Whalen, Vice President of Learning and Development, discusses why Hill University offers something for everyone.

“Continuous learning is our competitive edge at Hill. We encourage employees to embrace opportunities through Hill University, whether it’s by taking project management courses, learning a new language, or obtaining a credential,” she shares. “Ongoing education keeps us current, fosters innovation, and enhances our skills. By connecting with colleagues and sharing knowledge, we build a supportive community that boosts performance, engagement, retention, and our global reputation—everyone benefits.”

New Training Paths, Same Reliable Support

Expanding our commitment to offering comprehensive learning opportunities, Hill is now a Project Management Institute (PMI) Authorized Training Partner (ATP). This designation allows Hill’s Project Management Professional (PMP) certified employees to provide the 35 instructional hours required to take the PMP exam.

Hill also offers PMP preparation courses to employees and clients through the PMI website. The L&D team pursued this designation to meet the professional development and knowledge transfer requirements of many of Hill’s projects. Hill provides these courses in both English and Arabic.

“Through this new program, courses created by Hill subject matter experts and approved by PMI will become accredited and available for Professional Development Units, or PDUs,” explains Elizabeth. “Best of all, we will be adding a Hill PMI-endorsed branded link in Hill University that serves as a one-stop-shop for the PMP Student Study Kit, PMI membership, and testing fees. As an ATP, Hill receives a discount on these costs, covering the expense of the program to further support our staff.”

Growth for All: Tools and Resources for Employees and Clients

Clients also seek access to the company’s L&D opportunities, including the PMP certification. These options encompass a wide range of programs, such as the MIT/Sloan Leadership suite, American Society for Quality (ASQ) Six Sigma, PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and PMP, Microsoft certifications, Digital Marketing Institute programs, Red Hat, Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), artificial intelligence (AI) training, and more.

For example, Hill provides complimentary Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 and 30-hour certification courses, Engineer in Training (EIT) and Professional Engineer (PE) prep courses, and RedVector licenses for PDU credentials in architecture, engineering, and construction.

“A great example of our employee-client approach is the Team Success Training we developed for the LA Metro I-5 project, which we present to both Hill and Metro staff at their monthly ‘All Hands’ meetings,” says Elizabeth. “We also leverage Hill University’s learning assets to create tailored programs for employees and clients, such as Hill’s Phoenix Sky Harbor Project Controls team led by Martin Lopez, Senior Director of Program Management.”

Hill also offers “Leadership Learning Assets” that comprise training modules available to both clients and Hill leaders. These modules include “Assessing Your Organization’s Potential for High Performance,” “Talent Development,” “Coaching Employees Through Career Development,” “Building High-Performance Teams,” and “Fostering Accountability,” among others.

Elizabeth elaborates: “Recently, I developed a Hill University Leadership Learning Path for two international clients, focusing on ‘Leading Yourself,’ ‘Leading Your Team,’ and ‘Leading the Business.’ This path includes benchmarks, customized learning opportunities, and skill development using CASIY, Hill University’s generative AI Coach, which adapts and challenges users in local languages until an acceptable solution is found. These offerings really add value to our clients and their projects.”

Empowering Employees: Relevant, Accessible, and Flexible Education

Hill’s L&D team conducts extensive research, networks with other professionals in the L&D space, and listens to employees to keep programming relevant in an evolving industry. A prime example is Senior Learning and Development Manager Joe Riga’s education initiative with BISK, a workforce education provider, that partners with top universities to offer discounted online degree and certificate programs to Hill staff and, in some cases, their family members. These programs are designed to enhance career growth, and Hill staff have a dedicated link to university representatives.

Another example is the #HillStrong Guide, which replaced the orientation email follow-up for U.S. employees. Joe is now expanding #HillStrong globally, collaborating with his international counterparts to provide new hires with all necessary resources in a sleek, accessible, and searchable format available on any computer, tablet, or phone.

“As a global company, we take a global approach to accessibility. We’re now offering many of our compliance and safety courses in up to 35 languages. Soon, our professional development opportunities will also be available in local languages,” adds Elizabeth. “We also invest in the right technology to provide training and development resources 24/7, integrated into an employee’s day. E-learning offers flexibility, allowing employees to learn at their own pace in a cost-effective, interactive, and engaging way.”

Building a Supportive Learning Community

Employees need opportunities to connect beyond their professional goals to build a sense of community and support. Hill offers Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that provide a platform for employees to share experiences and grow together, fostering both personal well-being and professional development skills, like leadership, communication, collaboration, and cultural competence.

“Hosting the first ERG for those impacted by cancer was the most rewarding experience of my career. From the start, the enthusiasm and support from participants and Hill were overwhelming,” shares Elizabeth. “The Cancer Employee Resource Group (CERG) provides a safe, supportive space for us to share experiences, challenges, and triumphs, creating a sense of community that transcended departmental and geographical boundaries.”

ERGs are an important part of Hill’s commitment to creating an inclusive culture, promoting diversity, and offering unique opportunities for personal growth and engagement.

“Being part of CERG was inspiring, as it fostered deep empathy and support, creating a more inclusive work environment,” concludes Elizabeth. “The group’s positivity and ‘pay it forward’ mindset while facing life’s challenges was a beautiful gift I’ll always cherish. CERG is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we support one another. This is truly an exciting time at Hill, and I’m eager to see what we’ll learn together.