Quality Workforce

A: Our workforce is fundamental to our efforts to be more sustainable as a company, and HR plays a big role in how we attract and manage our talent. Talent is a key differentiator and enabler of long-term success.

A: We want to make sure we attract individuals whose skills match our changing business needs and who have the core values that have been our bedrock. Having diverse voices and opinions increases our chances of coming up with truly innovative solutions to complex energy problems. Candidates for jobs in power generation 25 years ago worked at fossil, nuclear or hydroelectric stations. Today’s candidates have those opportunities plus new ones, such as working in our renewables or smart grid areas. I think these expanded opportunities make it a very exciting time to be in the energy industry.

A: Today’s entry-level employees judge prospective employers in a different light than their predecessors. They look for companies that have a meaningful mission, are good corporate citizens and strive to operate in a sustainable way – things I believe Duke Energy offers.

A:We have dedicated a number of part-time energy technician positions for students who are pursuing an associate degree. This arrangement enables them to get classroom instruction and on-the-job training at the same time. It makes the education more affordable for the students and shortens their learning curve in the workplace. It also allows both parties to determine if there’s a good fit for a job. These benefits are especially important given the number of retiring technicians we’ll need to replace over the next few years.

A:Yes, we’ve started to see a slight decline in the number of retirements. As a result, we’ve slowed down – but not eliminated – our replacement hiring. This unexpected development, which is obviously tied to the economic downturn, has allowed us to focus on hiring talent in the most critical areas. We’re also pursuing ways to better engage and retain our current workforce. Even though times are tough, that doesn’t mean our talented employees are without other options for employment. Good people always have alternatives.

A:Everybody has a story about a neighbor, friend or family member who has suffered from the downturn. We announced the freeze on merit increases with the intent of avoiding staff reductions, and I think employees understand that rationale and appreciate it.