Case Study: Driving Transformation at Marshall Skills Academy with Orca Intelligence
Company Overview
Marshall Skills Academy, an award-winning global engineering training provider, has a storied history of over 100 years. Renowned for its contributions to the Aerospace, Automotive, and Manufacturing industries, the Academy has trained more than 21,000 apprentices. Despite their rich heritage, the Academy faced an unprecedented challenge: for the first time, they needed to offer their services outside of the Marshall Group.
The Challenge
Historically functioning as an internal cost centre within the wider Marshall Group, the Skills Academy team needed to transition to an externally focused business model. This shift required the development of new strategies, systems, and mindsets to meet the demands of an external customer base while maintaining the high standards expected within Marshall.
General Manager Daniel Edwards reflected, “Looking outside of Marshall was a completely different mindset for the team. Focusing on the external market whilst servicing the expectations of a new customer base meant adopting a different mindset and set of operating processes.”
Adding to the complexity, the Academy’s transition coincided with the global Covid-19 pandemic. The organisation faced significant operational changes, creating a need for rapid yet strategic transformation.
The Orca Intelligence Solution
Marshall Skills Academy partnered with Orca Intelligence to navigate this pivotal shift. Orca's expertise in business transformation and identifying new markets offered the Academy the clarity and strategic direction needed during this critical phase.
The process began with a comprehensive assessment of both the internal and external environments. Orca worked closely with the Academy to identify opportunities, streamline operations, and craft a detailed roadmap to ensure rapid yet controlled growth.
Daniel Edwards highlighted the impact of this approach: “Having an outside perspective gave us a fresh perspective whilst the assessment of the internal and external environments gave us a detailed set of plans to move the business forward in a rapid, but controlled manner.”
The Transformation
Orca Intelligence introduced a structured, actionable strategy process that enabled Marshall Skills Academy to adapt and thrive. This included:
Developing agile operating models to align with external customer demands.
Enhancing internal processes to sustain operational efficiency.
Cultivating a culture of adaptability and innovation.
Establishing clear internal and external communication channels to manage the complexities introduced by the pandemic.
The Results
Three years after implementing Orca's transformation strategy, Marshall Skills Academy experienced remarkable outcomes:
Successful acquisition of multiple new customers across diverse industries.
Promotion of several team members into senior management roles, fostering leadership growth.
Achievement of the first profitable year since launching as an external service provider.
By adopting a transformation strategy guided by Orca Intelligence, Marshall Skills Academy has become a model of resilience and innovation, securing its place as a leading global training provider for the future.
Conclusion
Marshall Skills Academy's journey with Orca Intelligence underscores the importance of strategic transformation in overcoming complex challenges. Orca's ability to identify new opportunities, align operations with market demands, and foster growth ensured a seamless transition for the Academy, setting them up for sustained success in an ever-evolving business landscape.
