Abstract

The case presents Mercedes-Benz’s large-scale initiatives such as D.SHIFT, Data Worker and Turn2Learn to reskill employees for its transition to electric and digital mobility products. The company carried out the reskilling initiatives as part of its Sustainable People Plan which was based on the pillars of Re-Shape, Re-Skill and Re-Charge. The reskilling initiatives were aimed at enabling its employees, especially the production workers, with digital, data and artificial intelligence skills to thrive in the changing automotive industry. Mercedes-Benz retrained German blue-collar workers for software and data roles through the D.SHIFT program, while the Data Worker program upgraded workers' skills through a variety of tailored learning pathways. Over 170,000 of its employees worldwide received more learning opportunities because of the various learning programs. The reskilling initiatives boosted digital learning and workforce capabilities, resulting in about 140,000 participants and over 2.3 million learning hours in 2023. The case also highlights the various challenges and benefits of the company’s reskilling initiatives. The participants of the reskilling initiatives faced various types of barriers including the balance between training and continuing to work at their jobs, and adaptation to the various new digital roles.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Comprehend the need for structured reskilling programs to build a data-driven culture to support organizational transformation
• Analyze various challenges and benefits of reskilling programs
• Critically evaluate how organizations apply Training Needs Analysis (TNA) in designing and implementing reskilling initiatives

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence (AI);Agile HR; Employee Training and Development;; Training Needs Assessment; Training Delivery; Internal Training; Skill Development; Productivity Enhancement; Continuous Learning; AI Integration; Employee Engagement; Future-Ready Workforce; AI applications in Business; Organizational Development; Training Design; Training Delivery – Internal Training,Mercedes-Benz Group; Artificial Intelligence (AI);Agile HR; Employee Training and Development;; Training Needs Assessment; Training Delivery; Internal Training; Skill Development; Productivity Enhancement; Continuous Learning; AI Integration; Employee Engagement; Future-Ready Workforce