Civil construction company and material supplier American Infrastructure developed its Career Track Program in 1998 to provide recent college graduates and other qualified employees with a career ladder into higher-level positions within the organization. As an American Infrastructure Career Track Partner, program participants are able to investigate potential job roles and responsibilities before they are permanently placed into a higher-level position within the organization.
Program Details
As part of this program, each candidate rotates job responsibilities every six months for the first two years of his or her entrance into the program. These rotations can be served in project management, field operations, safety operations, mining and material operations, and business operations. Participants also receive targeted training during each rotation.
Each participant experience is customized based upon business need and participant career interests and goals. To achieve this customization, participants undergo a variety of assessments and are assigned a mentor who works with the Human Resources department and the employee to design and direct the participant’s individual career development plan.
Since American Infrastructure’s diverse operations inhibit electronic interaction between employees at various worksites, the organization sets up periodic meetings between program participants where they can share experiences and best practices, and build relationships with one another. Participants also work together as “campus champions” to assist in the recruiting, mentorship, and onboarding of annual co-op and internship candidates.
This hands-on work experience in a variety of job responsibilities has enabled Career Track employees to investigate their “best fit” career, which has promoted increased employee satisfaction and retention. In addition, the diversified work experience provides participants with valuable insight into the company culture and procedures across the organization. These candidates participate in focus groups designed to provide a platform for their suggestions to improve their experience and the organization as a whole.
The program also provides “reverse mentoring” opportunities whereby participants mentor senior leaders on emerging trends and help to develop their computer competency.
Results
American Infrastructure has documented increased senior leader utilization of e-learning as a personal career development modality. As of 2011, utilization statistics increased by 34 percent. The results of American Infrastructure’s metrics (Return on Value, Return on Investment, Kirkpatrick, Employee Opinion Survey, etc.) related to the Career Track program have proven time and again that it is a beneficial program for the organization. In 2012, 32 Career Track candidates participated in this program; in 2013, this number increased to 37. Retention statistics for the current Career Track group is 100 percent to date. Currently, the retention of these employees within two years after hire is 98 percent; retention within five years after hire is 91 percent.
