Organizational Development for Knowledge Management at Water ...

Project Study # 16
Career Ladder Program
Project Description: The Career Ladder Program is a program in which employees take their
certification tests and, if they pass, get automatic raises until they reach the highest level of
license available, at which point they make 10 percent less than the Foreman.
Size of Utility: 310 employees
Critical Success factors: The utility is creating a competitive environment that offers the
opportunity for people to move through the system with knowledge as the competitive factor.
Cost: $40,000 a year to implement the Career Ladder Program, including costs of employee
raises and continuing education.
Alignment: Aligned with human resources.
Benefits: In a Union-employed shop, the only way to advance is for someone positioned in a
higher pay slot to move or retire. This can cause a serious motivation problem. The Career
Ladder Program allows the employee to advance with the correct licensing based on their
knowledge. Since employees are receiving licensing and advanced licensing through this
program, the utility is building a competent and reliable workforce. For example, if a supervisor
is unable to be present, the utility has three or four other employees who are equally licensed
who can take care of problems. The Career Ladder Program motivates an employee to stay in
the job since they are the determining factor of their salary level, and the utility is continuously
improving their workforce and thus their capability.
Compiled April 2008
______________________________
POC:
Terry Biederman
Waterford Township Department of Public Works
©2011 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.