Faced with a shortage of heavy equipment drivers to serve the projects in its pipeline, Gila County has implemented a new approach to workforce development.
County public works officials developed a plan that overhauls the system for hiring, training and promoting public works employees. The plan relaxes existing hiring requirements and then ensures new hires get the training they need to advance in their positions.
A federal commercial driver’s license requires both classroom and behind-the-wheel training. Under the new program, Gila will hire drivers without a license in place, give them on-the-job training, require passing the written test within three months and the full operator’s test within 12.
As part of the new system, existing heavy equipment operators can gain the required experience to become senior operators and earn promotions without having to wait for current senior operator positions to open up. They advance as they earn their qualifications.
The County will also continue to use part-time operators and has initiated an apprenticeship program for both classroom and hands-on training.
The County is considering a similar program for fleet mechanics. (Source)