Global Learning and Development

Medtronic needs talented leaders throughout the corporation to continue delivering patient-focused solutions in the field of medical technology. To cultivate leaders at all levels of the organization, we launched Medtronic University in fiscal year 2010 to increase global access to learning and development resources.

Medtronic University provides core, common, and critical learning resources to employees worldwide through an easily accessible online education portal.

Medtronic University’s “Career Resources” section provides various resources to individual contributors, managers, and project leaders. Examples include eLearning courses covering core employee development topics, such as New Employee Orientation, Achieving Our Mission through Inclusion, Quality Fundamentals, and Principles of Financial Management. The site also has links to developmental resources for specific functions (such as clinical research, finance, human resources, IT, and marketing), business units, and geographies. Medtronic University also offers leadership development programs, such as those designed for new managers and experienced directors, and resources to help with business critical initiatives, such as innovation, global growth, and operating leverage.

Medtronic University’s "Tools for Development" section helps individuals develop in their existing positions and drives professional growth through work assignments, development courses, mentoring, assessment, and networking. These tools also help employees evaluate and determine their next career steps.

2010 Training and Education Metrics

In fiscal year 2010, Medtronic spent approximately $50 million annually on employee development, an average of $1,275 per employee.

Although Medtronic does not centrally track the total number of hours employees spend in training, all new employees complete eight to 12 hours of Medtronic orientation instruction. We also recommend that new managers take 7.5 days of management-related training, and at each major leadership level, we provide learning programs to help leaders and individuals succeed in their new roles. 

Medtronic University alone offered approximately 60 open enrollment courses and 20 nomination-only programs in fiscal year 2010. We plan to double open enrollment course offerings in fiscal year 2011 in an expanded number of international locations. In the first five months of availability, 500 employees completed 800 eLearning courses through Medtronic University. In addition, business units, functions, and geographies provide courses, eLearning, and resources relevant to employee development and skill building.

Tuition Aid

Medtronic also provides a very competitive tuition aid policy for U.S. employees. More than 1,800 employees participated in this program in fiscal year 2010. The table below highlights program benefits:

Additionally, Medtronic offers an advanced studies program. In this highly selective program approximately four high potential employees per year receive a full scholarship to obtain an advanced degree. The Medtronic Scholars can either attend school full-time with a leave of absence (residential MBA) or attend graduate school while continuing to work full-time (e.g., Executive MBA).

Leadership Development

Medtronic University recently introduced a full suite of online development programs for leaders at all levels, including supervisors, new managers, experienced managers, new directors, experienced directors, and vice presidents. In addition, Medtronic offers development programs for high potential leaders, including Emerging Leaders, Women Leadership Exchange, and High Impact Leadership, among others.

We also offer a Corporate Leadership Development Rotation Program for new MBA graduates and existing employees. Participants, who complete two 12- to 18-month assignments in functional areas such as Marketing, Finance, Clinical, Regulatory, Business Development, Human Resources, Supply Chain, or IT, are exposed to our core businesses, technologies, and executives and placed in roles with broad responsibility upon completion of the program. Approximately 80 individuals participate in the program each year.

Additional career growth and leadership development information is available on Medtronic.com.