As the multi-year transition to cloud-based SAP/S4HANA approaches a February 2025 release for North and South America and Europe, the Transform for Value program is entering a new phase of focus – employee training.
This is a critical next step in preparing employees for upcoming changes and enhancements to company processes in the new platform. So everyone has the knowledge and skills they need in advance, the company is using a phased approach to complete all required training by end of year.
“Unlocking the full potential of SAP S/4HANA goes beyond technical implementation of the system; it also includes training and learning new skills for employees at all levels,” said Josh Olmsted, President and Chief Operating Officer-Americas. “This is an important part of the process to ensure a successful transition to the new system, which will provide employees the opportunity to excel in their roles and help drive Freeport’s success.”
T4V training for specific groups started in October with Maintenance supervisors, planners and technicians in North and South America and Europe. It was expanded in November to include Finance and Global Supply Chain training in various business areas, including warehouse employees. Training for Commercial Sales begins this week for individuals who use SAP to manage commodity pricing, hedging, manufacturing, procurement and materials, and Atlantic Copper transportation.
Training is comprised of both online modules and instructor-led courses for employees who will experience the most amount of change with the February release. A combination of SuccessFactors Learning and built-in guidance within SAP S/4HANA aims to promote hands-on learning and the opportunity for immediate feedback.
Starting in January, general T4V training will be available for additional employees in North and South America and Europe. The training will include both mandatory and optional courses designed to help employees become familiar with the upcoming changes introduced by T4V. For roles with high amounts of process or technology changes, refresher training sessions also will be offered.
For North America and Spain, visit My Learning in SuccessFactors to see if you have any required coursework or speak with your supervisor. All employees required to attend training in South America have been assigned to the required training.
“To help ensure a smooth transition come February, we are targeting to have 100 percent of our workforce trained across all business areas. That will take everyone doing their part to get Freeport prepared for what S/4HANA brings,” said Cindy Barber, Director-Business Projects and T4V Business Executive Lead.
About T4V
The Transform for Value program is a global, multi-year initiative to optimize business systems and deliver industry best practices. The program involves transitioning to SAP's next-generation, cloud-based platform, S/4HANA, by 2027.
This migration aims to centralize and connect information across the company, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in various departments. Additionally, T4V provides an opportunity to evaluate and improve business processes and tools, fostering a more effective and efficient work environment. Watch the video to learn more.