Greenville Utilities recently received the Excellence in Training and Career Development Award from the NC Chapter of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (NC IPMA-HR). The award was received for our iGrow program. 

In April 2019, Human Resources and Water Resources launched iGrow, a program to help GUC employees become certified and prepared for water or wastewater careers. A successful first year of the program wrapped up in the fall of 2019 when nine employees completed the necessary courses and exams for their area of interest. 

“We were very pleased with the interest and response from employees during that first year of the program,” said HR Manager Lena Previll. “We held informational sessions with good turnout and great questions from employees, and we got excellent feedback from the nine who completed their courses.”  

The following details factored into GUC receiving the NC IPMA-HR award for the iGrow program: 

• Objective 
• Budget and finance 
• Staffing levels and degree of involvement for program development, implementation, and maintenance 
• Value (significance of results with immediate and long-term benefits) 
• Uniqueness 
• Adaptability 
• Contribution to human resources management and organization image 

The iGrow program is open to employees who have completed their initial probationary period with GUC, are in good standing, have applied and interviewed for the program, and are selected by the iGrow Selection Committee.  

Serving on the committee with Lena is Water Quality Manager Anthony Whitehead, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Jason Manning, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Julius Patrick, Water Resources Systems Engineer Scott Farmer, Assistant Director of Water Resources David Springer, and Director of Human Resources Richie Shreves. 

“Many thanks to the committee for their partnership in launching this innovative program and developing talent pipelines,” said Lena.