employee development through a skill based pay approach nc awwa wea meeting november 16, 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Employee Development Througha Skill Based Pay ApproachNC AWWA WEA Meeting
November 16, 2015
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Drivers for an ESD programESD Program PhilosophyTypical Application of an ESD ProgramThe “Two Way Street”
Project Scope, Schedule
Employee CommunicationsExamples
NC AWWA WEA November 16, 2015
Employee Skills Development (ESD) Program
Drivers for an ESD Program
ESD Program Philosophy
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• Employee retention• A more motivated
workforce• Knowledge capture• Better
flexibility/agility• A learning culture• “Promotional ready”
employees
Utility Wants:• Better defined career
paths• Upward mobility
(without waiting for a vacancy)• Pay for performance• Self directed
advancement• Work/Life Balance
Employee Wants:
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• Advancement based upon appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities acquired• Advancement is, in part, self directed• Operational flexibility is efficient and is worth
additional compensation• Multi-skilled employees can provide greater
value• Leadership skills can be developed as part of
career advancement• Self directed advancement increases the
likelihood of employee retention
ESD Program Philosophy
Typical application of an ESD
The “two way street”
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Learning skills, responsibilities and duties
Learning advanced or companion skills, responsibilities and duties
Learns to train new employees, develop and plan work
Gains leadership and supervisory skills
Typical Application of ESD
Each level has additional knowledge, skills and abilities expectations
Time in level to gain proficiencyEmployee and Utility each benefit
Price of retention
Limited ParticipantsCareer Progression
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Typical Application of ESD
Lateral move to leverage skills and achieve additional growth.
Career Progression 1
Career Progression 2
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Utility benefits with increased
operational flexibility and
efficiency
Employee Benefits with increased
compensation via self directed learning
and growth
ESD Emphasizes Win-Win Thinking
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• Careful attention to what adds value• A performance management focus – good
performance is the price of admission• Salary analysis to get the comp right• Straight talk with employees• Avoid unjustified grandfathering• Skills assessment to prove knowledge• Transparent slotting process• Proper attention to HR rules and procedures
Key Considerations
Employee Communications
Examples
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• ESD programs create questions• Senior leadership must
champion the effort• Employee Surveying can
assist in understanding potential acceptance• Rumors Abound• Staff reductions • Everyone gets a raise
• Assurances upfront may help allay fears and set the tone
Employee Communications
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Probationary period, no licensing, safety training, Sampling
Initial licensing, process training, SCADA /CMMS use & procedures
Higher licensing, process control testing, proficiency in process operations, training duties
Highest license, leadership skills, EMS, permit compliance
Plant Operations
Self directedTypically has time in grade requirementsMinimum “meets requirements” performance
Price of retention
Career ProgressionLimited Participants
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Probationary period, 1st year trade school, safety training
2nd year trade school, CMMS procedures
Graduation from trade school or utility program
Additional skills menu Cert. WeldingLic. OperatorHVAC
Electrical training for combined trade
Mechanical Maintenance
Utility Driven or Trade school based programMinimum Grades RequiredMinimum “meets requirements” performance
Price of retention
Career ProgressionLimited Participants
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1st year training
2nd year training
Collection Systems
System Maintenance
System Construction
1st year training
2nd year training
3rd year training combined skills from other training area
4th year training advanced tech and leadership
Price of retention
Limited Participants
3rd year for opposite skill attainment
Minimum “meets requirements” performance
4th year includes crew leadership
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• Engineering• Design• Project Mgmt• Construction Mgmt• Plant Engineering
• Inspection/CM• Inspector• Sr. Inspector• Contracts Mgr• Construction Mgr.
Other progressions
• Field Operations• Sewer Collections• Water Distribution• Stormwater systems
• Customer Care• Field service call center• Billing call center• Dispatching
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• Planning and scheduling• Mechanical or electrical maintenance progressions
• Inspection • Field operations progressions
• Process Control Technology• Operator progressions• I&C progressions
• Supervision• Leadership skills learned at top steps• Crew leader responsibilities• Planner Scheduler
Feeder Pools – another benefit
