Harris’ New Training Program Accelerates Career Path

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) – Harris, a leading national mechanical contractor, began its new PM Rotational Training Program this week. The program – two years in the making – will provide valuable tools, resources and experience for PM trainees as they grow their careers.

The purpose and vision of the Harris program is to fast-track the training process for project managers (PMs), helping them develop to the senior project manager level of their career in an accelerated timeline. Harris will use the interactive, rotational training program as a talent pipeline as well, placing quality PM talent throughout the company nationwide. Harris developed the comprehensive program curriculum as part of its Talent + Culture strategic initiatives.

“We are very proud of the work that has been put in to make this rotational training program a reality,” says Brenda Devlin, executive vice president, Human Capital + Business Support, Harris. “Team members from across the country and throughout Harris worked together to build our curriculum. It was a substantial commitment and we’re so grateful.”

Working within all Harris business units and at multiple Harris locations, the program allows PM trainees to explore all critical areas of project management within the building industry – matters that seasoned project managers tackle daily – and gain crucial on-the-job experience. During this inaugural rotation, program leaders will also gather feedback to assist in improving the program and curriculum for its next rotational trainee groups expected to begin in January and June of 2023.

​“Careers in the trades are critical to our economy and the future of our industry,” says Devlin. “As a company, we want to support and help develop leaders of tomorrow who will have great knowledge, innovation and a passion for building the best. This program will do just that.”

Additional PM Rotational Training Program details
At the end of each business unit rotation, trainees will conduct a 10-15-minute presentation to share their experience, what they completed and what they learned, as well as insights and feedback on the rotation itself. Once all Harris-wide rotations are concluded, trainees will complete a capstone project and build a project schedule and plan, which includes preconstruction. They will also complete a job set-up with process, price and schedule impacts based on change orders received. In addition to their hands-on training, trainee’s will pull tools and resources found within Harris’ Leadership Fundamentals Program, which trains its leaders for success and the success of their teams.

Harris business unit rotations include​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​:

• ​​​​​Orientation and Onboarding
• Field Management
• Project financials
• Estimating
• Design + Engineering
• BIM/VDC
• Manufacturing
• Business Office (St. Paul) – Human Capital, Marketing + Communications, Corporate Services, Purchasing, Accounting + Finance, Payroll​​​​​​
• Service
• Building Automation
• Project Management
• Capstone Project

CONTACTS:
Gina Swanson
[email protected]
612.298.2631

Angela Mork
[email protected]
651.602.6538