Workforce Development, Competency Study

Meeting the workforce development needs of a rapidly changing organization has been a major goal of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The State of Georgia is faced with a growing urban population, increased transportation needs and mounting environmental concerns. Greater public scrutiny and an increased reliance on integrating the various modes of public transportation into a comprehensive area transportation plan make each project for the Department important for winning political and financial support. These issues coupled with an aging workforce made it critical for the Department's leadership to examine ways to improve its internal human resources function and services, and ultimately build new skills and competencies for the workforce.

Through competitive bid on two occasions we have had the opportunity to work with GDOT in its workforce development initiatives. The most recent work involved: 1) a comprehensive benchmark study of HR practices in ten other organizations; 2) a detailed review and validation of core job competencies, which included a competency development instrument; and 3) defining competency development activities.

The first project with GDOT provided all aspects of a training needs assessment, which was designed to provide benchmark information for strategic planning. Our work included gathering benchmark information, conducting focus groups statewide, individual interviews with management, and developing and administering to approximately 600 employees a personal and professional development survey with multiple fields and questions covering many facets of personal and professional development. The scope of work included defining current and future workforce development needs, assessing satisfaction with current programs and services, analyzing the gap between current and future needs, and submitting a report with findings and recommendations for eliminating the identified gap. Strategies and recommendations for improved human resource development and organizational learning were included in the report. Many of the recommendations are presently being funded and implemented.