2025 Training Hall of Fame Members

Three new companies, Paychex, Inc.; State Compensation Insurance Fund; and The Haskell Company, were inducted into the Training Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of 14 other organizations named to the hall since its inception in 2008. These 17 companies earned Top 10 spots on the Training APEX Awards list for four consecutive years. Paychex, Inc.; State Compensation Insurance Fund; and The Haskell Company were formally inducted into the Training Hall of Fame during the black-tie Gala held February 17 during the Training 2025 Conference & Expo. Members remain in the Training Hall of Fame for a minimum of three years.

Paychex, Inc.

Paychex, Inc., is a leading provider of integrated human capital management (HCM) solutions for Human Resources, employee benefits, insurance, and payroll that serves more than 745,000 business clients in the U.S. and Europe. Core to its mission as the digitally driven HR leader is helping businesses succeed by simplifying complex challenges. To provide the highest-quality HCM solutions requires the highest-quality employees.

The foundation of the Paychex Learning and Development (L&D) strategy focuses on developing employees to ensure they offer the best solution to prospective clients, and once onboarded, they provide world-class service and support for business owners. The development of new employees requires an intentional partnership between L&D and leaders across the organization. Learning objectives are aligned with business objectives and have on-the-job experience and leader-led activities. The new hire program content has application opportunities and assessments to ensure understanding.

For example, sales employees are taught to lead with customer experiences instead of products; they learn about Paychex services and products and then role-play offering potential customers solutions based on the reallife situations they face. The curriculum is consistently reviewed for alignment with Paychex’s marketing and product go-to-market initiatives. Sales leaders follow a new employee onboarding regimen with a playbook for sales leaders to guide them through a six-month plan.

Service employee training focuses on advising instead of a transactional, services-based approach. Topics for new frontline employees include quality service, system knowledge, product expertise, and skill training on recognizing appropriate solutions for employers to help them succeed.

Paychex understands that its employees are the key to helping businesses succeed and will continue to invest in each one. Paychex is honored to be part of the Training Hall of Fame, among other organizations with the same commitment to development.

State Compensation Insurance Fund

Protecting Californians is central to State Compensation Insurance Fund’s mission. Founded more than a century ago, the organization exists to ensure injured workers receive the care they need and deserve. State Fund strives every day to do what’s right for its policyholders and injured workers.

As a not-for-profit, self-supporting organization, it provides fairly priced workers’ compensation insurance to millions of Californians who rely on the security and peace of mind it delivers. State Fund proudly serves California’s diverse businesses and is committed to be here for the next 100 years.

To fulfill State Fund’s mission, Corporate Learning has established itself as a “build organization.” This means it focuses on developing talent from within. The strategy is to cultivate a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and engaged workforce that serves State Fund’s customers effectively, provides meaningful careers for employees, and strengthens the organization’s internal talent bench. Development starts with equipping individuals with the skills they need to succeed, beginning with a New Employee Onboarding Program, and continuing through specialized training academies—Adjuster Certification Academy, Underwriting Training Program, Premium Audit—to leadership focus programs such as Leadership Bootcamp and Emerging Leader Program.

Beyond specialized trainings, State Fund offers many programs that support individual growth. For example, the Emerging Professional and Tuition Assistance programs are a foundation for employees seeking to improve their skills. The development of all employees is a top priority at every step in their career at State Fund. Corporate Learning helps employees understand the impact of their work and the important role they play at State Fund.

The Haskell Company

The Haskell Company’s legacy as construction’s “one-stop shop” for architecture, engineering, and construction services began 60 years ago with Preston Haskell’s vision for the Design-Build movement. It since has evolved into a diverse network of experts providing global integrated design, engineering, construction, and consulting services to clients and communities.

With 2,400-plus team members globally to support, Haskell’s Learning & Development programming is empowered by executive leadership to develop award-winning training that sets industry standards. At the core of its development and growth strategy is the “myDevelopment” framework, launched last year. This system empowers team members to drive their own professional growth through:

• Custom-built competencies across all functions/roles
• A proprietary assessment tool for both team members and supervisors within Haskell University
• Tailored development frameworks for each role, which include tailored pathways for each role, outlining custom required and recommended training, experiences, and applications
• Individual development plans integrated with Haskell’s MAP Feedback performance review cycle The myDevelopment approach ensures every team member has a clear vision of their potential career trajectory within Haskell, allowing them to take their career growth into their own hands.

The Project Delivery Onboarding (PDO) program saw participation from more than 180 new team members last year, providing them with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Haskell’s culture and comprehensive project delivery framework. Facilitated by Haskell leadership and subject matter experts, content spans planning and development, design and consulting, construction and manufacturing, and international project execution. Also in 2024, Haskell launched the “Edge Retreat”—a two-day, immersive leadership development experience for 30 senior leaders. This dynamic retreat featured sessions led by Haskell’s CEO, board members, an NFL Hall of Famer, and external CEOs, along with workshops on coaching, case studies, and one-on-one sessions with the C-suite team.

Haskell continues to ensure its team members have what they need to succeed at every stage of their career. Haskell’s unwavering focus on continued support and growth ensures the company’s lasting success and reinforces its commitment to providing its team members the best job of their lives.

BNSF Railway: #4 in 2020, #5 in 2019, #4 in 2018 and 2017. Representative: Debra Ross, AVP, Talent Management, BNSF Railway

Booz Allen Hamilton: #9 in 2007, #1 in 2006, #2 in 2005, #4 in 2004, #6 in 2003. Representative: Tina Claure, Senior Manager, Leadership & Executive Services, Booz Allen Hamilton

Dollar General Corporation, LLC: #1 in 2020 and 2019, #5 in 2018, #8 in 2017. Representative: Judy Claybrook, Senior Manager, Training & Development, Dollar General Corporation, LLC

KLA Corporation: #9 in 2006, #5 in 2005, 2004, and 2003. Representative: Glenn Hughes, Senior Director, Learning and Development, KLA Corporation

KPMG LLP: #5 in 2010, #2 in 2009, #5 in 2008, #7 in 2007. Representative: Mike Mather, Chief Learning Officer, KPMG LLP

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World: #2 in 2019, #1 in 2018, #3 in 2017, #9 in 2016. Representative: Jessica Edgerton, Chief Legal Officer and EVP, Industry & Learning, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.: #7 in 2015, #6 in 2014 and 2013, #10 in 2012. Representative: Robin Renschen, Director, Learning and Development, McCarthy Building Cos., Inc.

Medical Solutions: #6 in 2023, #1 in 2022, #4 in 2021, #9 in 2020. Representative: Liz Hall, Vice President, Talent Engagement, Medical Solutions