GUC’s New Employee Training (NET) Program received an update nearly a year ago that allows employees to gain more from the experience, and the changes have been well received. 

The four training sessions - Technology; Customer Service and Respectful Workplace; Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging; and Workplace DiSC - are now offered on a recurring cycle. The sessions are on the second Wednesday of every month to provide flexibility for new employees to attend when they are available.  

 "The primary focus of the revamp was to create a more meaningful experience for employees and allow them more time to absorb their training,” said Carrie Peed, Organizational Development and Training Manager. “The time spent with other employees hired in the same timeframe allows them to build relationships with peers from other departments.”  

The training sessions also coordinate with new employee WE Onboarding Luncheons. This monthly program started as an iLead project to allow new employees to learn more about GUC by hearing directly from different departments and sections over lunch during new employees’ first six months. By coordinating the sessions, many employees can make plans to attend both the WE Onboarding Luncheon and the NET Training on the same day. 

After speaking with a few of the employees who have completed NET, many have said that the Workplace DiSC training was their favorite. “After the DiSC training, I was able to work better with people who have different personality types by adjusting the way I handle each situation,” said Katelyn Waters, Customer Service Representative I, who recently completed the program.  

Not only was the training program updated, so were the facility tours. Tours made a comeback in September of 2022 after a break due to the pandemic. Employees can choose between a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and LNG Plant during the morning or a tour of the 230 kV West Point of Delivery Substation and Water Treatment Plant in the afternoon. The tours are held on the third Wednesday of every month and are led by a subject matter expert from each facility. By creating tour options for employees, they can participate in tours without having their whole day occupied. The tours allow employees to visit other departments that they may not see daily, giving them the opportunity to experience GUC in its entirety.  

New employees also have the chance to tour the Control Center during their Customer Service and Respectful Workplace NET session. Jessica Hardy, Accountant Auditor III, who also just finished the program, said that she really enjoyed touring the facilities. “There is so much that goes into the operations of Greenville Utilities. Going on those tours really helped me appreciate the small things we can take for granted, such as clean drinking water,” she said. “GUC employees really take pride in their work and the services we provide to our customers.” 

Beginning July 1, 2023, participation in the four NET sessions, six months attendance at the WE Onboarding Luncheons, and both facility tours will be mandatory for all new employees during their probationary period. Successful completion will be a training requirement used in the evaluation of the employee’s probationary period.