1. Operator Qualification & Training Best Practices Roundtable Presentation
Minnesota Energy Resources
Danny Quint
Compliance Supervisor
October 2-4, 2012

2. TRAINING IN TRANSITION

3. Number of Customers = 209,742 Miles of Main = 4,445
Number of Services = 202,148
Number of Employees =
215 Total Employees

4. Operator Qualification & Training Overview
177 Front-line Employees & 7 Field Operations Supervisors
2640 Learning Management System Modules Completed
680 Hands-on Performance Evaluations
904 hours - Construction Training (61 employees)
500 hours – Miscellaneous Training

5. Operator Qualification & Training Overview-2
New Employee Training
384 hours - Basic Gas Distribution Operations (12 employees)
228 hours - Intermediate Gas Distribution Operations (12 employees)
68 hours-Temporary Seasonal Meter Painters (17 employees)

6. Operator Qualification & Training Challenges
Challenge #1 – Geographically dispersed workgroup; unable to bring all employees to a common training location

7. Number of Communities Served = 165
5 Take-off Points Off 5 Different Transmission Line Companies

8. How Do We Meet The Challenge?
Utilize front-line employee field trainers to administer the training to local workgroups
Training provided to field trainers

9. Challenge #2 – Limited training personnel
Operator Qualification & Training Challenges
Challenge #2 – Limited training personnel

10. How Do We Meet The Challenge?
Use OQ subject matter experts to augment training
Development of a mentor program for new employees
Utilize online training courses

11. Challenge #3 – Dual business models – Regulated and Non-regulated
Operator Qualification & Training Challenges
Challenge #3 – Dual business models – Regulated and Non-regulated

12. How Do We Meet The Challenge?
Carefully schedule regulated training along with non-regulated training,
while working to ensure customer satisfaction

13. Challenge #4 – Construction completed by third party contractor
Operator Qualification & Training Challenges
Challenge #4 – Construction completed by third party contractor

14. How Do We Meet The Challenge?
Mandated regulatory auditing requirements
Conduct specialized construction auditing training
Utilize 5 OQ subject matter experts

15. Challenge #5 – Mergers & acquisitions
Operator Qualification & Training Challenges
Challenge #5 – Mergers & acquisitions

16. How Do We Meet The Challenge?
Required additional training positions and
an updated training plan
Remain flexible

17. New Employee Training Process
Training Progression Guide
Leadership Involvement
Qualification Timeline
Formalized Hands-on
Mentor Program
Basic Gas Distribution Operations-32 hr.
Intermediate Gas Distribution Operations-24 hr.

18. Existing Employee Training Process
All Existing Field Employees Involved
Qualification Timeline
Classroom Delivery

19. Safety Improvements Realized
Improved emphasis on safety during all training sessions
Improvement in company safety culture

20. Challenges bring new ideas and ways of doing things
Conclusion
Challenges bring new ideas and ways of doing things

21. QUESTIONS Minnesota Energy Resources Danny Quint Compliance Supervisor