Unilever | Delivering language training across borders

With more than 155,000 employees across 68 locations, effective cross-border communication is a crucial business need for Unilever.

After noticing a significant switch in skills needed for continued professional progression, Unilever wanted to upgrade its hiring process to include English proficiency as a key requirement. This would equip its workforce with skills for the future, as second language fluency could encourage participation in international projects and open global career opportunities by closing the communication gap.

Unilever wanted a flexible, adaptable, and customized online language training solution that ensured employees could easily upskill and remain job-ready, as they progress through their careers.

In this case study, we explore how increased English proficiency across the organization has resulted in tangible business results.

While some learners prefer traditional, face-to-face learning, digitalization is changing learning habits. Inaccessible training could put some employees at a professional disadvantage – something Unilever is keen to tackle.

The introduction of a flexible, adaptable, and customized online English language training program has shown an 81% adoption rate, with close to 400 employees a year in Latin America now using the learning platform.

In Colombia, for example, the number of enrolled employees increased from fewer than 20 to more than 140 in 12 months, highlighting the importance of English language proficiency for career progression, and the shift toward digital learning.

Tangible business results are already visible, as the company now holds meetings and training with foreign speakers in local offices, in English, with great engagement from staff members.