Top-Tier Consultants Undergo a Comprehensive Training Program for In-Depth Project Management and Problem-Solving Education
McKinsey & Company distinguishes between mandatory and optional formal trainings. “Allrounders,” i.e., consultants who are not assigned to an industry or functional practice,* complete seven mandatory trainings within their first two and a half years with the firm, up to and including the career level of Engagement Manager; in addition, they can choose from 12 optional trainings based on their individual strengths and weaknesses (see Exhibit 1). The mandatory trainings alone take 34 days, or nearly seven working weeks.
The training program covers four different competency complexes:
- Analysis & Problem Solving
- Communication
- Team & Client Leadership
- Functional & Industry Expertise
Exhibit 2 shows which skills are primarily taught in the various compulsory and optional training programs along these competency complexes.
Analogous to the above, the same applies to the other top-tier consultancies.
* Practice group affiliation typically occurs at the Engagement Manager career level.
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