How One Utility Company is Using Training as a Tool to Support ESG Priorities

PNM Resources works under a Federated Training Organization Model — meaning that some training is centralized, but other courses are decentralized, or controlled by local offices instead of at the enterprise level. The centralized and decentralized groups collaborate, but historically it has been difficult to ensure that every employee at every location receives comparable training.

“Given the complex compliance requirements utilities face, our teams needed to be agile in responding to ever-changing demands,” said Kerry Foster, L&D program manager lead at PNM Resources. “We needed a solution that would provide standard, high-quality training opportunities to all our locations — but also allow each location to choose courses that are specific to their circumstances.”

The organization needed to free up resources to allow its internal teams to focus on creating new programs and developing new industry-specific hands-on delivery to ensure equipment handling proficiency and PPE standards.

Said Foster: “Our collective challenge has been making sure that every employee has the same understanding of our policies and safety procedures — no matter where they work geographically or what their role is. Beyond that, we aim to provide our team with the skills necessary to do their jobs well and advance into other roles within our organization if they are interested in doing so.”

PNM Resources turned to Skillsoft to enable them to maintain the level of training they require across the enterprise, ensuring that employees receive the information they need when they need it.

“Skillsoft makes it possible for us to provide quality training across the board in areas that may have federal requirements,” said Foster. “Leveraging Skillsoft’s compliance content helps us provide relevant courses — from entry-level to advanced — without reinventing the wheel. It provides a level playing field for all employees, regardless of location or role.”

She continued: “With that need being met, our internal training teams can create robust training sessions to address our additional needs. It also allows us to branch out into assisting with programs like launching new cultural beliefs, company orientations, leadership programs, and more.”

Foster also credits Skillsoft with helping PNM Resources stay current on industry standards, laws, rules, and regulations. She said: “The Skillsoft team is extremely knowledgeable about the types of courses available within the Skillsoft library and how they might be used to meet the complex compliance requirements in the utility industry.”

“Even better,” she expanded, “Skillsoft updates its content as new laws are passed or regulations change; this means we can deploy the most up-to-date training available to our team.”

PNM Resources leverages multiple styles of instruction — videos, scenario-based learning, interviews, text, and more — to reach every employee with its quality course content.

And since many employees work in the field, the organization often schedules in-office training sessions where employees may individually complete courses on company-provided computers or view them as a larger group. Setting aside dedicated training time conveys the importance of these sessions across the company.