Training Top 125 2019

Training magazine's 19th annual ranking of the top companies with employer-sponsored workforce training and development.

Fostering a culture of Serving Others—including both its customers and employees—Dollar General Corporation, LLC, earned the No. 1 spot on the 2019 Training Top 125 list. Dollar General and the other Top 125 winners are shining examples of organizations that champion training and employee development tied to corporate strategic goals and business impact. Some 28 newcomers earned a spot on the list this year, the 19th in a row Training has ranked the top companies of employer-sponsored workforce training and development.

Each Top 125 company was measured on quantitative (73 points) and qualitative (52 points) data. Factors influencing the rankings include:

• Training tied to business objectives

• Kirkpatrick Level 3 and 4 results

• Training’s role in strategic decision-making

• Number of trainers

• Employee turnover and retention

• Leadership development

• Tuition assistance

• Training technology and infrastructure

• Certification

• Training budget and percentage of payroll

• Executive involvement in L&D

• Training delivery methods and innovation.

And much, much more. An outside research and statistical data company, under the guidance of Training magazine, scored companies on quantitative data supplied by applicants. Then, Training’s editor-in-chief and the Training Top 10 Hall of Famers qualitatively reviewed the applications.

Top 125 Best Practices and Outstanding Training Initiatives also are recognized in this issue. Learn about BayCare Health System’s Patient Safety; Paychex’s DevelopU; Best Buy’s Best Buy Certified; CarMax, Inc.’s Empowerment Program; Van Meter, Inc.’s Onboarding Program; and more. Congratulations to this year’s Training Top 125!

Click here to view this year's Top 125. 

Lorri Freifeld
Lorri Freifeld is the editor/publisher of Training magazine. She writes on a number of topics, including talent management, training technology, and leadership development. She spearheads two awards programs: the Training APEX Awards and Emerging Training Leaders. A writer/editor for the last 30 years, she has held editing positions at a variety of publications and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.