Enhancing leadership skills at Delta Elevator with WatSPEED

WatSPEED at the University of Waterloo has partnered with Delta Elevator to enhance the leadership and supervisory skills of Delta's teams through targeted upskilling programs.

This collaboration marks a strategic shift in Delta's approach to employee development, expanding beyond its historically strong technical training to a more comprehensive focus on leadership and management excellence, leveraging WatSPEED's expertise.

“Our partnership with Delta Elevator highlights the growing importance of leadership skills in today’s evolving business landscape,” says Sanjeev Gill, associate vice-president of innovation and executive director of WatSPEED. “Our programs are designed to bridge the gap between technical expertise and leadership capability, helping Delta’s employees not only excel in technical roles but also develop into effective, well-rounded leaders.”

Over the past year, Delta employees participated in tailored leadership programs, which offer specialized tracks for both management and supervisory roles. The programs were designed to align closely with Delta’s internal jobs, ensuring participants are fully equipped to step into leadership roles within the company.

Delta Elevator staff with their certificates of completion

Delta has long been recognized for its exceptional apprenticeship programs, consistently producing highly skilled elevator mechanics through rigorous technical training. As employees transition into management positions, the need for strategic thinking, communication, and project management skills become increasingly essential.

WatSPEED’s curated learning and development programs address these needs, preparing Delta’s supervisors and managers for more complex leadership responsibilities.

“WatSPEED developed a custom training program tailored to Delta’s specific needs,” says Andrew Friedel, president of Delta Elevator. “This included both synchronous and asynchronous modules, which allowed participants to complete the work in a manageable timeframe. We are extremely pleased with the results and look forward to working with WatSPEED to offer additional development programs for our supervisors and managers.”

This partnership builds on Delta’s longstanding relationship with the University, where the company has contributed case studies for engineering students and supported co-operative education and experiential learning initiatives. WatSPEED’s collaboration with Delta underscores both organizations’ shared commitment to fostering the economic strength of the region and its workforce.

To learn more about how WatSPEED can help with your organization’s learning and development needs, please visit the custom training page.