Digital Transformation Consulting

Henkel faced the challenge of rapidly upskilling a diverse, global workforce to keep pace with evolving market demands and technological advancements across multiple business units. The company needed a targeted, scalable solution to identify existing skills gaps, foster a culture of lifelong learning, and enhance internal talent mobility, all while supporting its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

To address these issues, Henkel partnered with Accenture to implement a comprehensive digital upskilling program across all functions, which included a digital capabilities assessment of employees in 10 job families, followed by the development of customized, role-specific learning programs utilizing Accenture Academy courses and Henkel-created use cases within a new learning management system (LMS). The initiative also introduced a new digital talent experience, decoupling performance evaluations from potential assessments to better support professional growth, and developed a "Recruiter Toolbox" to link digital skill requirements directly with recruitment efforts. An upcoming AI-powered skill management tool containing a library of 52,000 skills will further enhance talent sourcing, succession planning, and performance management.

The results have been significant and measurable: within just 18 weeks, the LMS was rolled out globally, enabling 215,000 employees to complete over 215,000 courses and register for 272,000 training sessions. The new pathways for internal mobility reduced application processes from 30 minutes to 60 seconds, increasing internal role applications by 40%. Additionally, the program supports Henkel's sustainability goals by continuously developing an inclusive, innovative workforce, positioning the company to manage challenges more swiftly and effectively while strengthening its market leadership in a competitive, rapidly changing environment.