Austin Energy Knowledge Transfer and Design Training

1. Austin EnergyKnowledge Transfer and Design Training SWEDE – May 2, 2013 - Austin Tommy Nylec

2. Austin Energy Statistics • >400,000 Customers • >2,800 MW Generation • > 50 Distribution Substations • > 10,000 miles of Distribution • >1,600 Employees • Serve 437 square miles including Austin city limits and neighboring areas • Started in 1887

3. Identified Problems • Generational Gap • Advancement Opportunities Required Someone to Retire • Employees Not Adequately Prepared • Needed Way to Fast Track Learning

4. Lineman Advancement Program • Issue first identified in field personnel groups • Employee satisfaction was low due to lack of advancement • Mandatory participation • 3 tier training program • Each level requires classroom and OJT • End of each tier ends with test and promotion if passed

5. Design Generational Gap • Same issues were present in design groups as construction • Faced with high turnover due to upcoming retirements • Approximately 50% eligible for immediate retirement with 75% in next 5 years.

6. Program Overview • Define competency levels for each design title • Recommended Training Courses from NLC or outside source • On Job Training to display competency • Include current city training programs as required by policy • Flexibility to accommodate new emerging technology • Increase employee satisfaction by creating self-paced program

7. Design Development Program

8. Current Status • Approved by design managers • Eagerly awaited by design staff • Supported by senior management • HR understands needs & supports initiative • Pending HR approval

9. Knowledge Transfer • Distribution Design Guidelines • 300+ pages of distribution design best practices • Considered technical manual • Does not provide for every instance • Design Criteria Manual • 120+ pages of service requirements • Covers most instances • Adopted as city ordinance • Distribution Construction Standards • Includes over 5000+ construction estimating units

10. Questions?