Competency Assessment Committee: A Highway to Organizational Excellence

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Facing low morale, disengaged employees, impending retirements, and a general lack of cross training, the Jackson County Department of Transportation (JCDOT) created an innovative program. The Competency Assessment Committee (CAC) fosters a learning organization culture for heavy equipment operators and mechanics, allowing them to develop skills and become proficient on multiple pieces of equipment—and opening opportunities for advancement to Certified Trainer (CT) and even Master (M) designations. With over fifty pieces of equipment and certifications available, employees can boost their pay by taking the initiative to achieve desired designations. Management collaborated with the Jackson County Road Workers Association to develop a minimal framework within the collective bargaining agreement for the CAC, merely outlining the basics of who, what, and when. The committee, comprised of 4 management members and 4 association (union) members, developed all program details and procedures and has the authority and privilege of acting as its own microbusiness in JCDOT’s high performance organization (HPO) culture. Because a high level of trust exists between management and the unionized workforce, the committee has the autonomy to make important decisions about training guidelines; testing procedures for competent and safe operation; and the granting of certifications through application and interview processes.