Case Study
TPC's Training Impact with Tyson
Learn how TPC partnered with Tyson Foods, Inc, the world's second-largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, to expand the training courses and opportunities for their maintenance and refrigeration workforce.
Background
Tyson Foods, Inc., with a corporate base in Springdale, Arkansas, boasts 110 production facilities with approximately 120,000 employees throughout the U.S. The organization provides 20% of America's proteins under a portfolio of seven brands while also serving as the leading protein provider to several national restaurant chains. Training partners since 2018, TPC has provided support to Tyson through two of its products - TPC Simulations and TPC's online training courses. Manager of Maintenance Training, Charles “Tex” Ballenger, adopted TPC's simulations to enhance their electrical troubleshooting curriculum while Refrigeration Training Manager, Justin Michael, needed additional training resources for their new hires in the ammonia refrigeration department to address employee development needs.
The Challenge
While Tyson already had a training program in place, they were encountering several challenges, including:
- A dispersed workforce in diverse roles with vast responsibilities
- Multiple training providers
- Maintenance worker electrical troubleshooting skill gaps
- Absence of hands-on electrical training
- Inefficient new hire ammonia refrigeration training
The Opportunity
As the maintenance department lead, Ballenger was seeking to address skill gaps through a safe, hands-on approach to electrical troubleshooting that went beyond theory. Ballenger believes by combining people, process, and equipment, “you get the end result you are looking for.”
Michael was looking for comprehensive new hire training options for Tyson's ammonia refrigeration department workers that would expedite onboarding, increase knowledge transfer, be easily accessed and trackable, and be affordable. TPC's extensive workforce training options — from hands-on virtual simulations to more than 2000 self-directed online courses — addressed Tyson's unique training needs.
The TPC Solution
Tyson leveraged two of TPC's products that directly aligned with the challenges Tyson was aiming to solve. By adopting TPC Simulations —interactive, realistic scenarios for gaining troubleshooting expertise —they experienced a completely safe environment for learning to work in dangerous electrical environments while also building knowledge retention.
With the use of four specialized online refrigeration course, Tyson experienced an affordable, easily accessed, and comprehensive training solution that employees could take on their own time.
99 out of 100 training participants answered a survey stating that the simulation training program helped them understand their job better, was educational, and provided real-world scenarios.
The Proof
With noticeable improvements in performance, productivity, and engagement, TPC's Simulation Training System and the four self-paced online ammonia refrigeration courses utilized at Tyson were met with universal acclaim. In 2018, Tyson began with 75 licenses; in 2020, that surged to 120, a 60% increase over two years. Additionally, 99 out of 100 training participants answered a survey stating that the simulation training program helped them understand their job better, was educational, and provided real-world scenarios.
Both training leaders look forward to growing their partnerships with TPC. Ballenger continues to be a cheerleader for TPC Simulations, remarking, “I continue to be blown away by the software, I still get excited about the program. If anyone is looking to address electrical troubleshooting, TPC Simulations is the answer.”
About TPC
TPC delivers scalable, subscription-based eLearning and instructor-led live training built for industrial maintenance teams. From electricians and mechanical technicians to HVAC and refrigeration technicians (and beyond), learners gain hands-on experience through online and simulation-driven courses. Each program aligns with real-world technical standards and maintenance best practices, helping your workforce strengthen troubleshooting skills, minimize unplanned downtime, and extend the life of equipment.
Ready to explore the operational improvement possibilities training creates?
