The Earlier, the Better

The BEST Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate enterprise-wide success as a result of employee talent development. The winners use learning as a strategic business tool to get results. View the entire list of 2025 BEST Award winners.

When developing early-career talent, companies start with a few priorities in mind: meeting today's business needs, building a skills pipeline for the future, and establishing relationships so they can be a long-term employer of choice.

One company taking the lead with new talent is Herc Rentals, which provides customers with on-demand access to heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. Its entry-level ProSales associates often serve as customers' first point of interaction—it's a role that serves as a launch point to a career with the organization. "Every single one of our district managers, district sales managers, and region vice presidents have spent time in this role, as well as our current COO," states Eve Drinis, senior director for learning and integrated talent management.

To help ProSales associates master the role, the firm's talent development function developed the Black+ Gold Academy to teach participants about the rental equipment industry and their potential futures. During a 12-month program, learners encounter a combination of virtual and instructor-led training, collaborative sessions and activities, introductions to the company's senior leaders, and on-the-job experience.

The TD team reinforces formal learning initiatives by equipping participants' supervisors to facilitate on-the-job learning. Managers attend meetings to learn about the schedule and requirements. They receive monthly checklists with updates on program milestones, suggestions to support staff, and progress reports for each of their participating employees.

After a successful pilot, Herc Rentals expanded the Black+Gold Academy to cover every new ProSales associate. "We were able to open new branches more quickly by leveraging this pipeline of talent," Drinis says. "We've also expanded our team of sales reps, and this program has provided us with the means to do that, aligning our workforce planning and development efforts with our sales and revenue-generation strategy."

Another leader in developing early-career talent is Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), an electric utility in South Korea. The TD team has partnered with universities to develop its Energy New Technology Convergence Industry–University Cooperative Program. The initiative enables staff with a high school education to access "college-level competency and career development" in next-generation energy technologies.

The program, which combines video lectures with face-to-face training, is especially important in South Korea, where high university entrance rates can make career development challenging for those without degrees. "We plan to cultivate talents through job-oriented learning and project-based learning through industry connection rather than theoretical learning," explains Jung-ho Lee, the director of KEPCO's TD team. The strategy enables the firm to tap into a talent pool that traditional education has alienated.

In addition to expanding fair and inclusive education opportunities, the program plays a critical role in the company's business strategy. "This differentiated system will be an attractive factor for future talent when considering KEPCO as an employer," notes Lee. It also "lays the foundation to respond quickly to the rapidly changing environment in the energy industry."

View the entire list of 2025 BEST Award winners.