Empowering Action: The Training Culture Shift, Transforming Workforce Development in the City of Los Angeles

Presentation Description: What happens when technical training becomes a catalyst for culture change?
In this session, we will explore how the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering (LABOE) partnered with HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) to move beyond traditional training delivery and build a sustainable, leadership-driven workforce development strategy. What began as a request for technical training has since evolved into a multi-phase initiative focused on enhancing internal communication, leadership readiness, and employee engagement, all driven by collaboration and continuous feedback.
Using a behavioral science-informed approach, HDR engaged LABOE in strategic discovery through facilitated strategy sessions, employee surveys, and focus groups. This allowed us to identify key organizational questions:
• How do we develop our people beyond technical skills?
• How do we create a culture of continuous learning?
• How can leadership actively support long-term growth?
Together, we developed a phased implementation plan grounded in employee input and aligned with leadership goals. This included:
• Listening First: Gathering qualitative and quantitative insights from staff to identify gaps, motivations, and opportunities.
• Co-Creation of Programs: Redesigning and delivering focused initiatives to their existing Mentorship Program to improve and expand knowledge transfer, Supervisor Essentials to strengthen leadership capabilities, and Effective Interviewing training to improve communication and retention.
• Sustainable Implementation: Leveraging Train-the-Trainer models to embed new practices into LABOE’s long-term operations.
This session will provide actionable insights into how to:
• Shift from transactional to transformational training models.
• Use employee feedback to drive strategic planning.
• Foster leadership development through communication and collaboration.
• Integrate DEI and behavioral science to inform program design and engagement.
Be bold. Be innovative. Discover how intentional collaboration and communication can transform training into a leadership and workforce development strategy. Learn how the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering (LABOE) is using these tools to invest in its people, and how you can replicate these approaches to build a more resilient, future-ready workforce in your own organization.