Innovative training practices leverage technology to advance conduct of clinical trials
Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC (PPD) today announced it has again been recognized as one of the leading U.S. businesses for employee learning and development. For the fourth consecutive year, PPD was named to Training magazine’s Training Top 125 list, honoring companies that demonstrate measurable results from effective employee learning and development tied to strategic goals.
PPD designs, develops and deploys a wide-range of employee learning and performance programs to meet the specific needs of biopharmaceutical clients in advancing their clinical research programs. PPD offers ongoing training and development that engages employees for optimal performance, leverages technology, develops staff and measures outcomes. PPD’s culture of quality and process-centric focus includes a robust change management methodology that ensures learning and development programs have the desired impact.
“In earning a spot on the 2015 Training Top 125, PPD proved its commitment to, and achievement of, effective training and employee development tied to corporate strategic goals,” said Lorri Freifeld, editor-in-chief of Training magazine. “Furthermore, PPD provided evidence of its training programs' significant return on investment and contribution to increased employee engagement and retention.”
PPD accepted the award Feb. 9 during the Training 2015 Conference & Expo in Atlanta.
“Our innovative learning and development programs are foundational in helping prepare our talented team members to provide the high level of expertise that our clients deserve,” said Mike Wilkinson, PPD’s chief information officer and executive vice president. “We are committed to delivering enriching development programs to keep our employees ahead of the curve in honing the skills necessary to drive our clients’ success.”
PPD employee learning and development spans leadership and high-potential development, key talent programs, technical skills, job-specific training and individual contributor soft skills training, all of which are integrated and aligned to business goals and objectives. These initiatives are driven from the highest levels within PPD and supported by PPD’s global learning council, an enterprise-wide, cross-functional group of leaders working to ensure that PPD is a high-performing learning organization.
“PPD’s commitment to employee engagement starts at the top and infuses the entire organization,” said Ed Murray, executive vice president and chief human resource officer. “Our proven strategy of developing, engaging and empowering employees is central to our formula for successful client performance.”
PPD’s training programs develop knowledge, skills and expertise for employees across the entire span of clinical research. For example, PPD’s process improvement training is designed to increase expertise and employ methodologies to ensure that PPD teams constantly strive to not only meet, but exceed, industry benchmarks for cycle times and delivery standards. In addition, PPD’s industry-recognized good clinical practice (GCP) program helps provide clients confidence in data quality, patient safety and other important factors for regulatory review.
PPD training manager Kristin Hall, who was named a 2014 Emerging Training Leader by Training magazine, will receive her award at a special ceremony today at the conference in Atlanta. The honor recognizes training professionals who have been in the industry for two to 10 years and have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, business savvy and training instincts.
Now in its 15th year, the Training Top 125 rankings are based on benchmarking statistics, such as total training budget; percentage of payroll; number of training hours per employee program; goals, evaluation, measurement and workplace surveys; hours of training per employee annually; and detailed formal programs.