Because many of its non-agreement employees might retire within the decade and a small percentage of its workforce is younger than 30, Norfolk Southern Railway plans to implement initiatives designed to attract, develop and retain workers.
The railroad recently rolled out a more-formal, one-to-one guidance and coaching-type mentoring program for newly promoted or hired non-agreement employees, and an employee resource center that provides employees Web-based access (via NS' intranet or the Internet) to a variety of career information and services.
NS, too, recently formed a diversity council charged with continuously improving the railroad's diversity process and promoting a more-inclusive workplace.
Later this year, NS plans to launch CareerTrack, an initiative designed to give employees more control over their career development.
CareerTrack would enable employees to fill out an online resume indicating their interest in specific management jobs, and access a new management-assessment tool designed to measure their skills and abilities.
"We'll be able to identify a larger pool of qualified candidates for management positions using CareerTrack," said Rick Davison, NS assistant vice president human resources, according to the railroad's online newsletter released April 5.
NS also plans over time to launch other career-building initiatives, including online learning opportunities, an executive-education program at University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and an updated tuition-assistance program.
"[The initiatives] will ensure that we have the dynamic workforce we need to ensure a sound future," said Tom Mullenix, NS vice president of human resources.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
