Customer case

Development of technical and managerial skills

Wed 07 Aug 2024

Sofrecom, in partnership with a major Saudi operator, has implemented a development program for the technical and managerial skills of its experts. This program aims to immerse the operator's engineers in the innovation teams of another major European telecom group. This article details the modalities of this innovative program, the methodology, and the benefits of this support.

The project 

The main objective of this program, designed and proposed by Sofrecom's Learning & Development consultants, is to improve the technical level of our client's engineers. The shadowing program covered several business areas of a telecom operator such as radio, engineering, and mobile access and Open RAN tools, as well as IP and fixed access. In addition to technical skills, the program also aimed to develop the participants' behavioral skills.

The methodology implemented by our experts

The methodology adopted for this program was structured in several stages to guarantee complete immersion and effective learning.

Stage 1: Launch meeting

  • This meeting aimed to familiarize participants with the ecosystem of the European operator hosting this program. It allowed the engineers participating in the program to understand the values, processes, and tools used elsewhere, thus facilitating their integration into the innovation teams.

Stage 2: The 3 Loops

The core of the program was based on three essential loops

  1. Field immersion within the Corporate Expertise Centers: Participants are integrated into the Corporate Expertise Centers for 5 weeks of practical training. This immersion allows them to work on real projects, acquire advanced technical skills, and understand the best practices of a leading international operator.
  2. Theoretical training: After each period of field training, one week was dedicated to theoretical training. This phase allowed the consolidation of the acquired knowledge and to deepen it through structured training sessions.
  3. Preparation for certification: One week is then devoted to preparing for certifications. The program participants are trained to obtain recognized certifications, attesting to their expertise in the technical fields covered by the program.
  4. Evaluation: At the end of each loop, an evaluation is carried out to measure the progress made by each participant and to identify areas requiring additional training.
  5. Continuous coaching: Throughout the program, engineers benefit from continuous coaching. This coaching covers not only technical aspects but also behavioral skills such as emotional intelligence, communication skills, and leadership.

Stage 3: Final event

The program concluded with a final event where participants presented the projects they worked on and the skills they acquired. This event celebrates their achievements and strengthens the ties between the two operators.

Client benefits

This innovative and tailor-made development program has made it possible to

  1. Improve the technical skills of the participants: The acquisition of advanced technical skills in key areas such as radio, mobile and fixed access, and IP/MPLS networks allows the operator to improve the quality of its services and remain competitive in the market.
  2. Adoption of best practices: By working alongside the experts of another operator, engineers adopt the best practices of an international operator. This includes efficient working methods, innovative tools, and optimized processes.
  3. Development of behavioral skills: The program also focused on the development of behavioral skills. Engineers have benefited from training in communication, leadership, and management, as well as coaching in emotional intelligence. These skills are essential for managing teams, communicating effectively, and making strategic decisions.
  4. Strengthening ties: This program has been an opportunity to strengthen the ties between the two operators, thus facilitating future collaboration. The trained engineers become ambassadors of this collaboration, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices between the two companies.
  5. Recognized certifications: The certifications obtained at the end of the program attest to the expertise of the operator's engineers. These certifications are recognized in the industry and strengthen our client's credibility as a leading operator.

This innovative development program implemented by Sofrecom is a concrete example of how international collaboration can improve the technical and managerial skills of a team. By integrating the engineers of one operator into the teams of another operator, this program allows them to acquire valuable skills, adopt best practices, and strengthen the ties between the two companies. Thanks to this initiative, our client is better prepared to meet the challenges of the telecommunications industry and offer high-quality services.