ATAL Engineering Group

Since its establishment in 1977, ATAL Engineering Group (ATAL) has committed to staff training and development, enabling employees to apply the latest knowledge and skills to meet evolving business and customer demands. The "YES, TOM LEAPs to SHINE" Programme exemplifies this commitment, offering clear objectives and innovative tools to develop future talent in response to a dynamic environment.

The Programme consists of four sub-programmes tailored for different experience levels:

● YES – Young Engineers Scheme;

● TOM – Total Operation Management;

● LEAP – Leaders Executives Accelerating Programme;

● SHINE – Synergy, Holisticity, Innovation, Networking and Excellence.

Each subprogram's name reflects its purpose: (YES) fostering energetic talent, (TOM) advancing with passion, (LEAP) achieving remarkable results and (SHINE) excelling in the future. Training is delivered by experienced in-house colleagues or external consultants, focusing on specific objectives, targeted talent, structure, duration and evaluation.

1. Identification of Training Needs and Programme Design

ATAL's management expects training and development (T&D) opportunities for staff at various career stages to equip them with essential management and leadership skills. This approach prepares them for future roles and leads the company to success. The four Sub-Programmes—YES, TOM, LEAP and SHINE—were identified through discussions with BU/CU heads and endorsed by the Advisory Committee on T&D. The tailored Development Programme has achieved positive results and feedback.

Training needs were identified and the program was designed considering specific objectives, performance gap analysis, expected outcomes, measurement and evaluation, case studies, logistics and alternatives to training. Now, let's review the "YES, TOM, LEAP and SHINE" Programme in detail.

2. YES (Young Engineers Scheme)

2.1 Design and Development

YES extends training for Graduate Trainees (GTs) after the HKIE Scheme, which is a training program to strengthen their competencies in soft skills and other development areas. Designed based on feedback from Engineering Supervisors, Tutors and GT alumni, YES aids staff retention and career development for young engineers. Topics include corporate familiarisation, personal effectiveness, customer mindset, presentation skills, problem-solving, team skills and basic management techniques. Training progress is monitored through presentations and meetings, with feedback collected via evaluation forms. Follow-up actions support sustained learning and application of skills at work to improve staff performance.

2.2 Delivery

Since 2020, YES has been open to all GTs who completed HKIE Scheme A training and other young engineers with 3-4 years of experience. The Scheme comprises 160 hours of comprehensive training, including classroom and self-learning, covering Career Planning, Essential Soft Skills, Corporate Units Sharing, Language and Networking. Participants receive mentoring and coaching from senior staff and deliver presentations on skills learned and applied.

“Each subprogram's name reflects its purpose; (YES) fostering energetic talent, (TOM) advancing with passion, (LEAP) achieving remarkable results and (SHINE) excelling in the future.”

2.3 Evaluation and Feedback

Evaluation forms revealed that the Scheme equipped young engineers with the necessary skills for systematic career planning and professional advancement. A participant expressed pride and gratitude for the valuable lessons learned through YES.

3. TOM (Total Operation Management)

3.1 Design and Development

TOM targets staff with 6-8 years of experience, preparing them for the Executive grade. Developed after consulting BU or CU heads and endorsed by the Advisory Committee, TOM focuses on middle management skills to achieve operational efficiency. It covers Corporate Unit practices, problem-solving, negotiation, effective meetings, coaching and communication. Evaluation forms collect feedback, and group assignments facilitate idea exchange and skill practice.

3.2 Delivery

Open to eligible staff nominated by BU or CU heads, TOM consists of 28-hour classroom training on essential management skills, communication, coaching and Corporate unit operations.

3.3 Evaluation and Feedback

Graduates appreciated TOM's training contents, which prepared them for executive-level challenges. Two graduates noted increased confidence in managing daily site operations and their readiness to contribute to ATAL.

4. LEAP (Leaders Executives Accelerating Programme)

4.1 Design and Development

LEAP was developed in 2020 for executives with at least 10 years of experience to prepare them for senior executive roles. Designed in consultation with BU and CU heads and an external trainer, LEAP covers leadership and team management skills through five themes: Gold (Think Big), Wood (Talk Right), Water (Be Flexible), Fire (Have Passion), and Soil (Lead Soft). Evaluation forms collect feedback upon course completion.

4.2 Delivery

LEAP received overwhelming responses from BU and CUs. It includes 16 hours of lectures and workshops on visionary and strategic thinking, innovative mindset, managerial decision-making, quality improvement, customer focus, teamwork, interpersonal skills, coaching and multi-skills proficiency.

4.3 Evaluation and Feedback

Feedback praised the trainer's expertise and the course's applicability to work and life. Participants valued the training on personal effectiveness and leadership, networking opportunities and the chance to share knowledge with colleagues.

5. SHINE (Synergy; Holisticity; Innovation; Networking; Excellence)

SHINE is a 2-day residential follow-up course to LEAP, allowing graduates to showcase their application of lessons learned and develop concepts on synergy, holistic decision-making and mind mapping. Participants identified key competencies for future leaders, including visionary and strategic thinking, innovative mindset, managerial decision-making, quality and improvement drive, customer focus, teamwork, interpersonal skills, coaching and multi-skills proficiency.

The "YES, TOM LEAPs to SHINE" Programme has been meticulously planned, designed and implemented with input from key management to develop talent at all hierarchy levels, addressing changing business challenges. ATAL recognizes that effective talent management and succession planning require collective efforts. The Programme was delivered on schedule and within budget, proving to be cost-effective.

Positive feedback from participants and management highlights its usefulness and value, demonstrating significant business impacts such as improved talent retention, lower staff turnover, higher team morale, enhanced skills, better customer relationships and a stronger ability to secure new contracts. The Programme has also fostered a cultural shift in management mindset, strengthening ATAL's future business prospects.

Graduates are invited to join the Alumni Club to share their experiences and contribute to the Chairman’s Innovation Award. The Programme has significantly transformed ATAL's T&D strategies, establishing a lasting impact on the organization's journey towards becoming a learning organization.