The program prepares talented engineering graduates for the rigors of new product development. Graduates with a foundational knowledge in engineering are exposed to traditional and advanced manufacturing principals as well as introduced to business strategy, voice of customer tools, and market research to expand their understanding of how and why products are made. Associates are assigned to different Parker locations to gain insights on different technologies and business structures. Additionally, each associate is assigned a mentor as well as a sponsor who oversees their assignments and development, ensuring they gain relevant leadership experience and skills through a combination of assignments, projects, training modules, and problem-solving. As a team, the ELDP and MELD Associates work together to analyze a non-traditional technology and/or emerging market opportunity, creating a business case and required deliverables that will be presented to key stakeholders at the end of the program.