Progress Residential Technical Skills Academy Trains 24 Percent of Workforce

Progress Residential operates the Technical Skills Academy as a comprehensive learning strategy for its field personnel, including service technicians, apprentices, and construction personnel. The program has trained 24 percent of the company’s workforce. It combines online assessment, pre-work, in-person practice on workstations, case studies, and skills verification.

Program Structure

The Technical Skills Academy begins with an online assessment that establishes a baseline for instructors before participants join the market. Participants then complete assigned pre-work to reduce skill gaps ahead of in-person sessions. In-person sessions last one to four business days depending on the topic, such as plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.

Workstation and Verification Methods

Instructors use pre-built fully functional workstations that can be adjusted for multiple repair types. In the plumbing series, the same workstation allows practice on toilets, shower valves, sinks, and garbage disposals. Participants also review case studies drawn from the company’s actual system of record along with pictures and videos to diagnose and address issues. Certified instructors conduct skills verification by observing repairs on the workstations before participants advance to the next segment. Instructors rotate across markets to maintain regular training. Service managers receive plans to construct custom workstations that reinforce the material.

Measured Outcomes

The program reduced unworkable work orders by 1.67 percent, exceeding the company’s goal. According to Training Magazine, the Technical Skills Academy was recognized as a best practice in the Training MVP Awards. The multi-modality format supports ongoing skill development for field personnel across Progress Residential’s single-family rental home operations. According to Training Magazine, the approach integrates assessment data with hands-on verification to address specific skill requirements in each market.