CDOT Maintenance Internship Program Taps Talent from Local High Schools
By Jean Anselmi, Process Improvement Intern
October 15, 2019
The Challenge
The frontline staff at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) keep Colorado moving all across the state, and particularly in our beautiful mountains. One region in particular, Region 3 (Northwestern Colorado), was struggling to fill frontline Highway Maintenance Worker positions. Many vacancies went unfilled for several months, with some vacant for over a year. Often there were no applicants for months, as the high-cost of living and competitive wages in the area discourage applicants from pursuing a career with CDOT or relocating to the area.
The Improvement
This internship program allows high school graduates who want to begin their careers immediately after graduating, to start an internship at CDOT. By partnering with high school counselors, CDOT is attracting students who want to immediately enter the workforce, are interested in transportation, live locally and know the area, and want to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Civil Rights Manager Karl Lehmann, the innovator said,
"This investment in local high school graduates is cheaper than hiring expensive temporary staff from staffing agencies, provides a necessary pipeline for positions that have not been able to be filled, invests in local communities and students, and overcomes many of the financial obstacles facing applicants otherwise interested in our positions. "
This improvement is a great opportunity for CDOT and local communities alike.
How Does it Work?
First, local graduates are hired on as temporary employees. This allows positions to be exempt from the salary cap and provides the option for the posting to stay open after an intern has been hired. From there, the intern must obtain a CDL learner’s permit within 30 days of starting their internship.
Once they carry a learner’s permit, maintenance interns begin learning and practicing on CDOT equipment. After a half year of training and experience, interns have gained enough knowledge to pass the CDL test. Once they have their CDL, successful interns can be considered for a permanent position.
Hiring brochure for the CDL Highway Maintenance Training Program
Key Benefits:
Invests in local communities and students.
Provides a talent pipeline for hard-to-fill maintenance positions.
Improves safety by providing more hands-on experience to new maintenance staff. Saves time and money when hiring for permanent positions because successful interns will likely become successful permanent employees.
Improvement Developed By:
Karl Lehmann - Civil Rights Manager
Susan Maxfield - Human Resources Talent Manager
Emily Harp - Human Resources Specialist
To view this improvement’s Idea Card and implement it today, click here.