Our APM Leadership Development Center Delivers Collaboration and Empowerment Despite the Pandemic Challenges
Our APM Leadership Development Center (LDC) continues to buzz with activity despite COVID-19 challenges! We are proud that the facility has maintained momentum as a hub for collaboration and learning during the past 12+ months. The development of our facility was a major investment, and the time required to carefully and thoroughly plan events over the past 2+ years, especially with consideration for social distancing and tedious hygiene during the pandemic, has been no small achievement for the coordination team. We opened the doors back in 2015 with the mission to connect people and establish leaders through collaboration. We are excited to see this in action, and we are incredibly thankful for the hard work and dedication our people invest in planning and executing each event.
Over the past ~60 days, we have hosted several significant APM learning opportunities at the facility, including Level 3 Superintendent Training (Dec 8-17), Live Outage & 7F Breacher Training (Jan 11-13, Jan 18-20, Jan 25-26, and Feb 1-3), and New Superintendent Training (Jan 17-22). We have also been fortunate to host our outage partners for their events, including a Field Core Service Manager/Operations Manager Meeting (Jan 24-28) and a GE/FieldCore/APM One Field Services Meeting (Jan 28). Throughout these events, we have served ~250 people including participants, trainers, and trainees.
Jeremiah Smedra & the entire FieldCore VS Projects Team shared appreciation following their recent events:
“Site support from the APM team was outstanding. Managing check in, COVID spacing, lunches, use of the high bay … made the overall experience a real pleasure. Thank you for the hospitality!”
Level 3 Superintendent Training Highlight
Our LDC hosted twelve (12) Level 3 Superintendents in December 2021 to further develop their knowledge of APM tools and leadership expectations. This content was established with the intention of further developing our site leaders within their career pathways and empowering them with greater outage ownership. Specific training topics included Advanced Systems Access, Customer Service Excellence, eTools Training, Pre-job Planning & Setup, and Onsite Execution Training.
New Superintendent Training Highlight
Our LDC hosted 27 New Superintendents this month to equip them with the tools and education needed to lead the craft teams on our APM job sites with confidence and excellence. Over the course of six (6) days, the participants received training for Operations Divisions Expectations, IT Equipment, AirTime Time Tracking, AirTime Operational Tools, Human Organizational Performance, Safety Programs, Quality Programs, LOTO Supervisor Expectations, Excellence Standards & Commitment Based Safety, Payroll & New Hire Processes, AirTime Learning, and Leadership Tools.
Live Outage & 7F Breacher Training Highlight
Our LDC has hosted four (4) sessions for this training topic in the past month. During these events, FieldCore and APM teams shared the goals of developing familiarization of the Live Outage application and new productivity tooling. Over the course of three (3) days, the participants covered the value of using the Live Outage application (Field Procedure replacement) and the special tooling involved. Specific topics included the Enterpac Coupling Tool, Upper Half Nozzle Tool, Lower Half Nozzle Tool, Outage Sequencing, and Milwaukee and other smaller specialty tooling.
Other significant events hosted at the LDC over past 12 months include the following:
EHS Kaizen Meeting – July 2021
New Superintendent Training – July 2021
Milwaukee Tooling – July 2021
GE Entergy Meeting – July 2021
Operations Leads Hands-On Hazard Hunts & SERs – July 2021
Blade Tech Alstom Steam Turbine Training – August 2021
Flange Leak Kaizen Meeting – August 2021
Blade Tech Phase 1 OSR Training – August and September 2021
APM Chief Workout – August and November 2021
First Aid/CPR/AED Training – November 2021
Detailed planning and coordination are required for each event hosted at the LDC to ensure all logistics are covered, including travel, lodging, transportation, meeting accommodations, COVID-19 procedures, additional safety procedures for technical training in the LDC Deck area, digital technological components, and extracurricular activities. Our team also collaborates with many internal and external stakeholders for the development and delivery of high-quality training content. Every base is covered to ensure each person passing through our LDC is receiving value and lasting education from their visit.
COVID-19 Procedures
When attending events at the LDC, employees and visitors are required to execute pre-access testing and maintain social distancing throughout their stay at the facility. Ample supplies are provided for face coverings and hand sanitizer, and daily disinfectant of surfaces is executed. Face coverings are required in all common areas and are well-managed through visual signage and team accountability. All training areas are set-up with social distancing in mind to minimize the need for face coverings while in session, and meals are thoughtfully planned to avoid close contact while providing nutrition and a relaxing break environment.
Special Recognition
Our APM President & CEO, Jake Locklear recently complimented the team in saying:
“I wanted to share that I have received multiple compliments on our execution of the Live Outage training at the LDC – both in how impressive the facility is kept and managed, how supportive we are to our guests, and in our diligence in COVID protocols. I was very proud to hear these compliments. Kudos to you all and your teams for executing so well.”
We wish to extend our deep appreciation to all teams involved in planning, coordinating, and executing trainings and events at the LDC. A special thanks to Tom Hermanns, Stephanie McGowan, Gail Melancon, and several others. We know there are many people collaborating to make the events successful, and we value the impact you deliver for our business, both to grow and invest in our own people and host our guests with excellence. Our APM LDC shines because YOU shine!