Engineering teams today are under more pressure than at any point in recent memory. Projects are becoming more complex, timelines are shrinking, and firms are expected to deliver higher-quality work with fewer resources. Yet even as organizations continue investing heavily in Autodesk and other engineering software platforms, many still struggle to realize the full value of these tools.
The reason is simple: software capabilities evolve faster than teams’ skills do, and informal, ad-hoc learning no longer keeps pace.
At Hagerman & Company, we’ve spent more than 40 years helping engineering, manufacturing, and AEC organizations mature their digital capabilities. Recently, we’ve observed clear trends across companies of all sizes — trends that underscore a growing skills gap and the urgent need for more structured, ongoing software training.
The Industry Is Advancing Faster Than Users Can Keep Up
With new functionality from Autodesk, new AI-powered features, and expanded cloud collaboration tools are fundamentally reshaping how teams design, simulate, and share engineering data.
Across our customer base, we consistently see three major challenges:
- Under-utilized software licenses
Many organizations invest in powerful tools like AutoCAD, Inventor, Vault, Fusion, or Civil 3D… but only tap into a fraction of their capability. Teams often stick to familiar workflows, missing time-savings or automation features that would dramatically improve output.
- “Tribal knowledge” learning falls apart under turnover
Relying on a few “power users” to train everyone else creates bottlenecks — and when those users leave or get overloaded, the entire team’s efficiency suffers.
- Inconsistent processes lead to inconsistent results
Without standardized training, every user approaches the software differently. That inconsistency creates downstream errors for manufacturing, construction, procurement, and even customer delivery.
Training Gaps Are Costing Firms Time, Money, and Quality
The ROI impact of training is often underestimated because losses accumulate quietly:
- Hours wasted searching for files or redoing work
- Incorrect models or drawings leading to costly rework
- Inefficient collaboration between engineering and downstream teams
- Delays caused by improper data management
- Stress on teams who feel they “don’t know what they don’t know”
In many organizations, the single largest source of inefficiency isn’t the software — it’s how teams use it.
Why Formalized, Expert-Led Training Is Now a Competitive Advantage
Forward-thinking engineering firms are shifting away from “learn as you go” and investing in structured, ongoing training programs. The results speak for themselves:
- Productivity increases immediately
When users learn current best practices — not outdated tribal habits — they instantly work faster. Tasks that previously took hours can become 20-minute workflows with the right techniques.
- Teams adopt new features confidently
Autodesk is increasingly releasing AI-powered automation, cloud collaboration, and advanced data management tools. Users trained on these capabilities bring immediate value back to the business.
- Standardization reduces errors
Consistent workflows produce consistent deliverables — especially important for regulated industries or high-precision engineering environments.
- Training talent strengthens retention
Engineers value upskilling opportunities. Companies that invest in their people improve both morale and retention.
Why Companies Turn to Hagerman for Training
For more than four decades, Hagerman & Company has helped organizations unlock the full potential of their Autodesk tools. Our training programs are built around three pillars:
- Expert-Level Instruction from Autodesk-Certified Professionals
Our trainers aren’t just software experts — they’ve lived the engineering workflows, challenges, and industry nuances your teams face every day.
- Live Online Classes Accessible from Anywhere
Modern teams are distributed. Our remote training provides the live, interactive learning experience of a classroom with the flexibility today’s teams expect.
- Tailored Curriculum for Your Real-World Workflows
We customize training programs around your data, your deliverables, and your daily challenges — so your team isn’t learning generic concepts, but practical, immediately-usable skills.
Training Is No Longer Optional — It’s How Engineering Teams Stay Competitive
Autodesk tools will continue evolving quickly, and organizations embracing continuous training will be the ones that maintain operational efficiency and stay ahead of competitors. As technology, workflows, and expectations change, your team’s skills must evolve with them.
If your organization suspects you’re not getting the full value from your Autodesk investment — or if inefficiencies are creeping into day-to-day operations — now is the perfect time to reassess your training strategy.
Hagerman’s Autodesk-certified experts are here to help your team work smarter, not harder.