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HOME » Sustainability » Sustainability Reports » 2007|2008 Sustainability Report » Quality Workforce » Recruiting, Developing and Retaining Employees

Recruiting, Developing and Retaining Employees

Brandy Starnes Bob Doby Caleb Schrum Duke Energy is facing major change not only in its business environment, but within the company as well. We see dual challenges ahead:

  • Competing for the best talent: hiring replacements for the approximately one-third of our employees who may retire in the next five years.
  • Preserving specialized knowledge: systematically capturing the critical knowledge of our employees before they retire.

Duke Energy has a number of efforts designed to attract, retain and develop employees:

  • We are identifying the core skills and jobs that we will staff internally, and those that we will contract with others to provide.
  • We have developed knowledge management and aging worker retention strategies, including support for federal pension reform so retirementeligible workers can work part-time and draw from a retirement plan without penalty.
  • We have revamped our training and development, including a new Strategic Leadership Program developed in conjunction with the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business.
  • We are developing and testing a software tool to help employees find courses and other training opportunities.
  • We implemented a new software tool for performance management, employee development planning and succession planning.
  • We are using rotational programs to attract and develop early career professionals.
  • We are working in partnership with community colleges and technical schools on development and recruiting for technician positions.
  • We are expanding internship and co-op programs in nuclear, engineering and technical services, power delivery and the commercial businesses.
  • We are expanding opportunities for employee networking and collaboration through Employee Resource Groups, safety steering teams and project teams.
  • We regularly benchmark leading companies to offer competitive compensation and benefits, and progressive workplace programs.
  • We conduct periodic employee opinion surveys to assess and improve our culture and workplace practices.