What is Hire-Train-Deploy?

Introduction

The Hire-Train-Deploy (HTD) model is relatively new. Before 2016, there was only a single company that was utilizing the HTD Model. It was this company that was able to prove that the HTD model works. During this time, the model was used in very specific niches, but as time went by, the model has been more commonly used across the globe. At present, there has been a lot of development with the HTD model with thousands of graduates having launched their careers through it. (Wiley Edge, 2022)

Even in the UK, the Hire Train Deploy model has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years. A company, Sparta Global, has used the HTD model for more than 3,000 consultants who are now working in different roles and industries across 100 companies in the UK. (Sparta Global, n.d.)

The Hire-Train-Deploy model is a strategy that helps a company customize their workforce according to their needs and culture. There is a vast shortage of employees with ready skills for job roles in various industries. It is important for companies to find suitable talent for their business in order to expand and ensure the longevity of their business. There are various programs and intermediaries who can aid a company with their Hire-Train-Deploy model. Workers who go through this model are taught specific tools that a company uses, and techniques and skills required for the role that they are undertaking. It imparts comprehensive training to employees to effectively manage the tasks for their job roles. (EdForce, 2023)

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What are the Employer Challenges Related to Staffing?

Companies devote a lot of time and resources, both monetary and human, in order to attract and find the right talent for their organization. The recruiting process comes at a high expense for most organizations. Training, especially for advanced skills, also comes at a high cost. There is also the caveat that candidates, after undergoing training, are not retained leading to further costs for the company. 

Aside from having to allocate a significant amount of resources, companies are also challenged when it comes to finding candidates with the right background and skills. Even after being able to find the right talent, it is also quite a task to retain these individuals, especially those with specialized skills. Some companies even have to spend for the relocation of talent, which further adds to the resources needed to build their workforce.

Prior to the Hire-Train-Deploy Model, various solutions and workforce strategies have been utilized by organizations to address the shortage of potential talent. For one, online degree programs have helped millions of Americans to gain credits and earn a credential. However, there was still the issue of relevant upskilling, which is why some employers have turned to the HTD model.

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What is the Hire-Train-Deploy (HTD) Model?

The challenge of finding the right talent does not only happen in the country but across the globe. However, through the HTD model, a lot of companies are finding long-term solutions to their staffing woes. 

The HTD model is pretty straightforward in that its main steps are indeed to Hire, Train, and then Deploy.

• In the initial step, organizations would usually work with a vendor who takes care of hiring individuals for the company. Vendors or organizations would usually focus on university graduates as the initial talent pool. These individuals are usually promising with high-potential but do not necessarily have the tech or platform skills needed for certain roles and niches.
• In the next step, these individuals would then undergo training through the vendor or the company. This training would concentrate on the platform skills, specialization, and technology needs of the organization. Various training methods and trainers who are very well-versed in their fields are utilized.
• Lastly, these trained individuals would then be deployed on client projects or as part of the organization's workforce in in-demand roles, usually on a contract basis, until they get the opportunity to join the company permanently.

This model gives companies a chance to better train and retain emerging talent in a cost-efficient manner. HTD could very well change how workers launch their career in specialist roles and niche industries.

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How Does the HTD Model Differ from Other Workforce Solutions?

There are various models and programs that are akin to HTD. However, there are still some distinct differences that make it advantageous to opt for the Hire-Train-Deploy route.

One program that has similarities to the HTD model are bootcamp programs. Bootcamps provide trainees with experience and relevant training. However, with the downside of trainees having to pay for their bootcamp training. Most university graduates are already in debt after graduating that for most this might not be a viable option.

In-House Graduate Programs can also sometimes likened to the HTD model in that it is also focused on specialized training. Most graduate programs, being that they are utilized by employers, also have competitive wages and benefits. The main difference of this tactic vs the HTD model is that graduate programs are usually seasonal and run for once or twice a year but HTDs run continuously. The HTD model also aids an organization's diversity requirements.

A workforce strategy that is probably most comparable to the Hire-Train-Deploy model is the Registered Apprenticeship program. They are very much alike in that workers are paid competitive wages and the program can last for years until a worker is accepted permanently by the organization. Despite this, they do still have several differences such as:

• Hire Train Deploy is not under the Office of Apprenticeship nor under the Department of Labor. Instead, it is an organization driven initiative to attract new talent and be able to train them according to their organization's standards and culture through the help of a vendor
• Organizations who utilize the HTD model also are not required to be registered
• In Registered Apprenticeships, classroom training is done in conjunction with hands-on-learning. In most cases for registered apprenticeships, 4 days of the week are dedicated to hands-on-learning and on for related classroom instruction. With the HTD model, classroom instruction is first completed before hands-on-learning is started. 

Despite these differences, it is not to say that the HTD model is more advantageous than Registered Apprenticeships. Rather, there are industries wherein the HTD model is more apt and effective.

In the case of industries and niches related to construction and industrial jobs, it may be more apt for organizations in these industries and specializations to utilize Registered Apprenticeships wherein classroom instruction can be beneficial whilst the worker is also performing on the job learning. However, in the case of industries such as SaaS, Tech, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, and the like, it would be more beneficial for workers to have more hours of related classroom instruction and complete it prior to experiencing hands-on-learning. Workers in these industries cannot exactly stand behind senior workers and just watch. 

By utilizing the HTD model in roles for these industries, workers are able to take on clients on their own after completing classroom instruction as a contractual worker while working towards being a permanent employee.

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Use Case of the Hire-Train-Deploy Model

Salesforce / Hiring Our Heroes

Salesforce is a behemoth in the SaaS space with a very defined ecosystem. However, Salesforce is also the one that feels the huge impact of the current skills gap in the country. Despite this, colleges and universities are not contributing to address this with only 15 colleges and universities offering courses that include Salesforce. Even with Salesforce willingness to work with interested institutions to make training for the platform accessible, there are only a few that provide training or programs. 

It is in cases like this wherein the Hire-Train-Deploy model is best utilized.

Salesforce has partnered with Hiring Our Heroes, a US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, that aims to provide free training and certifications to veterans and military spouses. Hiring Our Heroes has hired and arranged for relevant work experience for this population. (Forbes, 2019)

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Conclusion

With the Hire-Train-Deploy model, opportunities have been opened up to workers, especially those in underserved communities, to launch their career. Aside from Registered Apprenticeships, the HTD model has aided and is foreseen to continuously help Americans get access to opportunities to upskill and launch their careers in the Saas, Tech, and Digital Marketing space.With its simplicity and scalability, the HTD model is a viable solution for the skills gap and talent scarcity workers and employers are currently facing. 

If you are Interested in setting up a Hire-Train-Deploy Model for your workforce strategy, click here to reach out to our team directly.