Learning opportunities

With a global network of more than 120 learning centers and numerous internal and external experts ABB University provides a wide range of learning opportunities.

Its course offering is delivered in various languages and covers the following topics:

• Products, technology and solutions courses: ABB technology and systems; customer processes and product applications
• Business processes and tools courses: Sales, Service, Project Management, OPEX and more
• Management, personal and leadership development: presentation techniques, meeting effectiveness, finance for non-financial people, negotiations skills and others

In addition to the traditional training settings, ABB University offers online learning applications:

• Self-study lessons and tutorials for teaching and testing
• Group learning and virtual classroom tools

Furthermore, there are reference materials available for keeping up to date with the latest developments.

We believe that leadership is not a position, it is an attitude.

Whether or not you manage a team, there are many ways to lead: with the strength of your thinking, for example, the integrity of your actions or the clarity and passion with which you speak. That is why our Leadership Challenge Program is open to all of our people - 50,000 employees have now taken the challenge, many of them in their first jobs.
 
It is a hands-on course designed to help you develop your inner leader. There are teaching sessions and group discussions, as well as time for individual reflection and practicing what you have learnt. The focus is on six areas:

• Making the case for change
• Building shared vision
• Thinking systemically
• Engaging others
• Taking action
• Personal leadership

English is our corporate language and we have excellent online courses to help you and your family to learn or improve it; there are 2,000 hours of content with 500 videos and 1,000s of practical exercises. You also have access to teacher-led virtual classrooms - lessons start every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

But talking to our customers and suppliers around the world in their native language is always good for business. So you can use the latest online courses to learn 23 different languages, from Arabic to Vietnamese.

From R&D to operational excellence, sales, service and beyond, we have analyzed how our most capable and efficient people work and the expertise they share at each level.

Using our findings, we have developed a range of modular programs to help you master your area of expertise and make more of the opportunities in your field.

To ensure that the competency-sets are up to date we have established professional councils that work closely with internal experts, external organizations, and benchmark companies.

We depend on your growth and development. The more you make of your talent, the better we do as a company. 

So, in addition to personalized learning and development plans, there is the opportunity to obtain further academic or professional qualifications. Show us your dedication and we will support you. 

From MBAs and PhDs to Engineering, Finance or Project Management, our talents get the qualifications they need to get ahead.

As an engineering company keeping up with the latest technical knowledge is vital. 

We acquire and disseminate technical know how through a combination of formal training, job rotations, shadowing of experts or participating in professional networks and alliances.

As a first line manager, you are on the front line. You have 2-20 direct reports and in today’s world of fast changing technology and demand for growth, that can be very demanding for a new manager. 

Even if you have a strong track record as an employee, you will most likely need management training and development to succeed. Our Management Development Program does just that, helping first line managers prepare for their new responsibilities. 

It covers essential topics such as talent management, legal, safety, recruitment, communication and strategy. 

New managers learn to understand what is expected of them, in terms of management processes and policies, as well as gaining leadership skills so they can focus on motivating the individuals on their team to deliver agreed goals.

This program helps our middle managers make the most of their talent. 

Over a nine-month period, managers take a number of modules to develop skills in key areas. These include financial management, strategic, customer and market orientation, as well as personal and change leadership.

Participants work on real life cases from their own business unit, teaming up with peers outside the formal sessions to help each other tackle the challenges set on the course.

Senior leaders are faced with a specific set of challenges.

How do you shape the direction of a business in different contexts? How do you encourage internal entrepreneurship? What is the best way to build a results-focused organization?

Based at the Institute of International Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, our Senior Leadership Development Program focuses on leadership in the context of strategy and finance, people management and the competitive landscape.

Throughout several modules, taken over seven months, participants learn from IMD faculty staff, as well as ABB Board Members and other senior leaders. This allows them to test and challenge their newly acquired knowledge against real world situations and day-to-day operations in their own business.

In 2008 ABB launched the Global Mentoring scheme for its middle managers. 

This program pairs interested individuals in a one-to-one relationship with a senior leader who volunteers to support their development. 

Mentors draw on their experience to help participants learn from their current work activities and challenges. On the other hand they also learn from such a setting and appreciate the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and experience.

ABB Life is a one-week program of intensive personal and professional development workshops designed to give graduates a full understanding of our whole business so they can begin to map out a long-term career. There are two key areas:

Understanding the business

You will learn about a wide range of key business topics within ABB: our history, our mission and vision, and our business principles, as well as other areas, such as strategy, finance, compliance and ethics. 

Personal development

You will learn about the tools and opportunities that exist to connect with peers and explore management career paths at ABB. Presentations and workshops focus on a range of subjects, including engaging and coaching others, strategic and systematic thinking, and working in a multicultural environment.