In 2023, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and Quanta Services embarked on an ambitious workforce development initiative that serves as a model for industry-university collaboration. This partnership, part of a broader quasi-endowment between Quanta and The Texas State University System, aimed to create customized project management training to support the evolving needs of Quanta’s expansive workforce. Over the past year, the SHSU Online Professional Learning team developed 14 courses designed to help Quanta employees—from emerging project professionals to experienced managers—advance their project management competencies and enhance Quanta’s operational capacity.
A critical success factor in this initiative was the involvement of Dr. Pamela Zelbst. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Regents' Professor, and Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management at SHSU, Dr. Zelbst provided invaluable guidance in shaping the training content. Her expertise was pivotal in ensuring that the training courses aligned with Project Management Institute (PMI) standards, which offer a pathway for Quanta employees to earn certifications and professional development units.
Dr. Zelbst worked closely with Quanta experts and SHSU Online to review and refine the training curriculum, integrating her project management knowledge in alignment with Quanta’s unique operational requirements. She also served as a key faculty resource for a pilot group of Quanta employees seeking their PMP certification through the “Quanta PMP Bootcamp,” offering insights into how the training content could best prepare them for the certification exam.
Quanta’s newly developed project management training consists of four tailored learning pathways, each addressing different levels of employee experience. The "Introduction to Project Management," learning path lays a foundation in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) project management principles, and more advanced pathways like the "Quanta PMP Bootcamp," provide Quanta employees with a structured, progressive learning experience. The courses are designed to be user-friendly and accessible across both desktop and mobile devices, allowing employees to seamlessly navigate through learning activities, subject-matter-expert (SME) videos, and Quanta-specific scenarios wherever and whenever is most convenient for them.
SHSU Online’s Media Innovation team also played a pivotal role in the success of this project. Their University Plaza Studio was essential to producing high-quality course media featuring Quanta’s project management professionals. These “Quanta Real-Talk" course videos offer employees valuable insights and practical knowledge delivered by Quanta Project Management SMEs (subject-matter experts). Their advanced video production and recording capabilities helped establish a relatable, human element found throughout the training. The Media Innovation team accentuated an engaging learning experience, helping ensure that Quanta’s workforce receives top-tier training that is practical, relevant, and accessible.
This initiative was made possible through the integration of faculty expertise from Dr. Zelbst and SHSU Online’s services spanning Media Innovation and Online Professional Learning. Through collaboration, SHSU has customized online learning experiences that address the specific needs of Quanta’s workforce. This effort highlights the power of collaboration and exemplifies how industry-academic partnerships can pave the way for innovative training solutions that meet the evolving needs of both adult learners and employers. SHSU Online remains committed to fostering these collaborations, ensuring that SHSU students, alumni, and industry professionals alike are well-equipped to succeed in today’s dynamic workforce landscape.
Interested in collaborating with us on an upcoming project? Reach out to online@shsu.edu to start a conversation.