What does it take to prepare a workforce for the challenges of rapid technological change, evolving client expectations, and diverse employee needs? For Zensar Technologies, the answer lies in designing an innovative, future-ready learning ecosystem that blends personalisation, technology, and strategic foresight.
Through a forward-thinking approach and a transformative partnership with Skillsoft, Zensar has revolutionised corporate learning, equipping its workforce with the skills to excel today while building capabilities for tomorrow. As part of The Skill Shift series—a collaboration between Skillsoft and People Matters— we deep dive into how Zensar’s comprehensive learning strategy is setting benchmarks in workforce development.
Embedding Learning at the Core of Organisational Strategy
In a fast-evolving industry, adaptability and foresight are critical to maintaining a competitive edge. Recognising this, Zensar made learning a central element of its organisational strategy, ensuring its workforce could navigate shifts in technology and client demands with confidence.
“Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and client expectations are evolving just as quickly. We’ve designed a learning strategy that addresses both short- and long-term needs, enabling our workforce to adapt and thrive,” said Yugesh Mandvikar, AVP & Head - Learning and Development, Organisation Development.
This strategy focuses on immediate, role-specific skills to address pressing business needs while fostering leadership, agility, and a growth mindset for the future. These goals are realised through ZenLearn, Zensar’s AI-powered learning ecosystem, which empowers employees to take ownership of their growth while aligning with organisational objectives.
Four Pillars of Zensar’s Learning Excellence
Zensar’s learning framework is built around four core pillars designed to address the diverse needs of its global workforce:
- Leadership Development: Cultivating a strong pipeline of leaders equipped to navigate complex challenges and drive organisational growth.
- Technical Skills: Ensuring employees remain at the forefront of emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation.
- Behavioural Competencies: Strengthening interpersonal and leadership capabilities essential for workplace success.
- Functional Expertise: Building domain-specific knowledge to deliver high-impact, client-focused solutions.
Through ZenLearn, these pillars are brought to life via AI-powered personalised learning journeys, mentorship programmes, and collaborative opportunities, all tailored to individual aspirations and organisational goals.
Leveraging Partnerships for Transformation
Zensar’s strategic partnership with Skillsoft has been integral to its learning success, providing the expertise and tools needed to create a seamless, scalable learning experience.
“Skillsoft’s content and tools have been invaluable in creating a learning culture that supports both organisational goals and individual aspirations,” noted Mandvikar.
Key contributions from this collaboration include:
- Percipio Platform: The backbone of personalised and role-specific learning journeys.
- Leadership Development Programmes: Empowering high-potential leaders through Skillsoft’s collaboration with MIT Sloan.
- Microlearning Formats: Delivering concise, engaging content for employees to access flexibly.
- Seamless Integration: Embedding Skillsoft’s resources within ZenLearn for a unified and accessible experience.
Measuring Collaboration Success: Tangible Metrics of Impact
Zensar tracks key metrics to assess the effectiveness of its learning initiatives, demonstrating significant results:
- Personalised Development Plans: Achieving a 90% completion rate in FY24, reflecting strong employee commitment.
- Learning Engagement: Employees averaged 58.2 learning hours in FY24, showcasing a thriving culture of continuous development.
- Skill Improvement: 97% of employees reported measurable progress in their development areas, underscoring the impact of targeted interventions.
- Employee Engagement: Enhanced learning opportunities have driven higher engagement and improved retention rates.
“These metrics highlight the tangible impact of our learning initiatives. They reflect not just participation but the real-world application of knowledge,” added Mandvikar.
Fostering a Culture of Continuous Learning
For Zensar, learning is not a one-time event but a continuous commitment to excellence. Through ZenLearn, employees are empowered to align their development with both personal career aspirations and organisational goals. Programmes such as leadership boot camps, peer-learning sessions, and real-time feedback mechanisms ensure learning remains an ongoing and engaging process.
“This initiative ensures our employees have the right skills at the right time, enabling them to deliver exceptional value to our clients,” said Mandvikar.
A Model for Future Workforce Transformation
Zensar’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of aligning learning strategies with organisational priorities. By embracing innovation, personalisation, and scalability, Zensar has created a workforce that is both agile and resilient.
“Our partnership with Skillsoft has been transformative,” concluded Mandvikar. “Together, we’ve created a learning ecosystem that empowers our people to excel and drives sustainable success for the organisation.”
Zensar’s experience serves as a blueprint for organisations seeking to future-proof their workforce through impactful and innovative learning strategies.
Check out the ‘Skill Shift’ series to learn more about transformative learning strategies helping companies bridge the skills gap and drive business impact.
Learn more about Skillsoft Percipio to bolster your organisation’s future readiness!