Fall 07
Vol. 12 No. 4

City forges alliance with UH, HCC systems;
new training program prepares future leaders

(page 2 of 2)

The course combined applied knowledge with real workplace conditions to produce an unprecedented educational experience. Lecturers, all experts in their respective fields, provided a real-world prospective on various topics including leadership in the midst of change, ethics in local government, decision-making in the 21st century, and performance-oriented leadership, said Pat Smith, the program’s curriculum coordinator.

One highlight of the course was an assessment conducted by the attendees on the strengths, opportunities and challenges of their various work units.

During the final week, participants were divided into three groups to work on three issues. Group 1 dealt with fleet management. Group 2 had to suggest a way to improve customer service. And Group 3 had to provide a new career path for the PWE work force.

“When you put talented people together, they challenge each other, and once the team concept is grasped, they can accomplish anything they put their minds to,” Dargan said .

Each group had to work out solutions to their problem scenarios, which were based on real-life situations. The groups then briefed Dargan and Taylor on their findings and made recommendations.

“We worked on a project to close gaps in customer service,” said Deputy Assistant Director Sherman Irish. “What’s great about it is that we’re meeting the challenge by working together and combining creative energies.”

Linda Williams, also in Irish’s group, said they are suggesting a new service system.

“We would leverage new technologies to fulfill customer service requests and prevent them from falling through the ‘request cracks,’” said Williams, an administrative manager of financial services.

Toni Middleton Lewis’ group grappled with improving career paths.

“We’re proposing a new job classification called ‘utilities specialist,’ which would combine three to four existing positions into a single, clearer career path,” said Lewis, an administrative supervisor.

All 44 participants graduated June 15.

The program is being expanded to include citywide leadership programs. A program for managers will start in September. The senior executive program is scheduled to begin in 2008.

“The Cape will continue to meet the demands for an educated work force,” said Art Haller, Cape administrator.

Core courses will emphasize city culture and values, and increasing programs for employees whose positions require professional licenses and certifications.

Mayor Bob Lanier, PWE Director Jimmie Schindewolf and Human Resources Director Lonnie Vara opened the $3.9 million center in November 1996 to train new PWE employees to run heavy equipment and work in hazardous spaces. It was re-engineered into a corporate university in 2002.

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