01478717

Component

Strategic recruitment of vital positions, retention of highly skilled and motivated employees, and effective training and development rank foremost in the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities’ (DOT&PF) commitment to workforce planning. This paper describes the design, development, and initial implementation of the Workforce Excellence Program, which is currently a work in progress. Performance measures and results will be reported as the program matures. Transportation challenges include: Alaska Marine Highway connects 33 coastal communities via 3,500 waterway miles; Aviation operations include two international airports and 252 rural airports; approximately 82% of communities are not served by roads; and Diverse and extreme geologic and climate conditions. The Workforce Excellence Program incorporates workforce data with an annual environmental scan to forecast future transportation workforce needs. The program's focus includes: 2011 – training and development; 2012 – recruitment and retention; and 2013 – knowledge transfer and career awareness. Recent DOT&PF training and development successes include: Construction Management Graduate Certificate through University of Alaska and the Alaska University Transportation Center focusing on leadership and project management skills – credits can be applied to Master’s Degree; American Association of Airport Executives Certified Member program (AAAE CM) – professional airport management credential; Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) training – international qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel; and Online Supervisor Toolkit. Over the next 12 months, DOT&PF will implement a Mentorship program and the Leadership Development Program. Additional online resources and tools will also be made available to department employees. Workforce Excellence strives to identify and implement workforce development best practices in the transportation industry.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABG20 Transportation Education and Training.

01470560

13-1088

English

17p

2013

Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Continuing education; Personnel retention; Recruiting; Training; Transportation departments; Workforce

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

Administration and Management; Education and Training; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2013 Paper #13-1088

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 5 2013 12:19PM