In the rapidly evolving electric utility sector, attracting, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce has never been more critical. As infrastructure modernization accelerates and demand for technical talent intensifies, businesses must take proactive steps to ensure its teams are equipped, engaged, and empowered for success.
This article offers an in-depth case example of how TRC employed a digital transformation strategy designed to enhance employee training, strengthen retention, and improve overall workforce development.
Investment in digital tools and data-driven systems helps retain top talent, accelerates onboarding for new hires, and fosters continuous learning and growth among existing employees — all while supporting operational excellence across the organization.
ADDRESSING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES
In many companies, field services span a national footprint, with employees deployed across numerous project sites. Managing a mobile, geographically dispersed workforce presents challenges in training consistency, onboarding, career development, and visibility into team performance.
Historically, TRC’s national teams operated in silos with limited cross-communication or centralized workforce planning. This approach created inefficiencies and made it difficult to identify employee development opportunities at scale. The digital transformation initiative breaks down these barriers and builds a connected, data-informed framework for workforce development — one that directly supports employee engagement, retention, and long-term success.
THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TOOL: TRANSFORMING TRAINING AND RETENTION
A cornerstone of this digital transformation strategy is a resource management tool, or scheduling app. Designed internally by field experts for field operations, this platform does far more than manage logistics — it drives professional development and retention across the organization.
Key features that support workforce development include:
- Streamlined scheduling and forecasting
- Provides real-time visibility into project assignments and future demand, enabling better planning of training and onboarding.
- Aligns project opportunities with employee career goals, reinforcing engagement.
- Integrated employee profiles
- Centralizes certifications, skills, tenure, and project history, making it easier to assign roles that match individual development paths.
- Identifies training needs and flags lapsed certifications before they impact deployment.
- Transparent career planning
- Managers gain insight into employee utilization and growth, allowing for targeted mentorship and on-the-job learning opportunities.
- Cross-regional collaboration exposes employees to broader experiences and advancement opportunities.
- Proactive staffing decisions
- Open roles are tied to skill and certification requirements, ensuring qualified candidates are placed while also revealing skill gaps that training programs can address.
This tool has played a key role in reducing turnover by promoting transparency, predictability, and career progression. New hires benefit from a smoother onboarding experience, while long-term employees see a clear trajectory for growth.
HARNESSING DATA ANALYTICS FOR SMART TRAINING INVESTMENTS
TRC uses Microsoft Power BI to integrate data from its own resource management tool, financial systems, safety tracking platforms, and learning management systems. This consolidated view allows leadership to make informed decisions that support individual and team development.
Key benefits include:
- Automated reporting for managers
- Reduces administrative burden and enables real-time monitoring of team performance and training progress.
- Targeted training initiatives
- Data analytics reveal trends and gaps in safety compliance, project performance, and skill development, enabling precise, need-based training.
- Enhanced retention insights
- Dashboards help identify at-risk employees based on utilization trends, allowing for early interventions and engagement efforts.
This level of visibility ensures employees are not only trained effectively but also feel supported through continuous learning and growth opportunities — factors that significantly improve job satisfaction and retention.
THE MANAGER TOOL KIT: EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP TO SUPPORT TEAMS
The manager tool kit, a suite of real-time dashboards developed from the Power BI infrastructure, provides supervisors and regional leaders with actionable data to guide team performance and development.
Workforce-focused features include:
- Employee performance dashboards
- Managers get real-time insights into resource allocation, enabling customized coaching and planning.
- Safety and quality trends
- Managers can proactively address patterns that suggest training gaps or burnout risk.
- Operational analytics
- Real-time insights into resource allocation ensure the right personnel are deployed effectively and that development opportunities are aligned with strategic goals.
Managers use these tools to accelerate new hire readiness, identify opportunities for internal promotion, and ensure continuous alignment between team capabilities and project requirements.
MEASURABLE IMPACT ON TRAINING AND RETENTION
Implementing a digital workforce has resulted in significant improvements in workforce engagement and operational outcomes:
- Onboarding time was reduced by 40% through automated scheduling and training assignments.
- Retention rates increased 30% due to improved career transparency and targeted development.
- Safety metrics improved by 200%, driven by early identification of trends and tailored retraining.
- Enhanced scheduling accuracy boosted employee satisfaction by minimizing last-minute changes and aligning work with preferences and strengths.
These gains underscore how digital tools — when thoughtfully implemented — can directly improve workforce stability and satisfaction while driving better business results.
LOOKING AHEAD: CONTINUOUS INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Digital transformation is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing commitment to innovation, agility, and employee success. As we continue evolving our systems, exploring AI-driven workforce planning and predictive training models furthers personalized development and maximized retention.
Future workforce initiatives will focus on:
- Expanding skills mapping and certification tracking to support emerging technologies and regulatory requirements
- Enhancing employee feedback loops to fine-tune onboarding and training based on real-time input
- Creating AI-driven career pathways to help employees visualize future roles and chart meaningful growth
GROWING THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
By implementing a digital transformation strategy through the use of tools like the resource management tool, Power BI dashboard, and the manager tool kit, TRC has built a more connected, capable, and committed workforce.
Creating a framework that aligns individual growth with organizational goals fosters a workplace where employees at all levels are empowered to thrive. As the electric industry evolves, our continued focus on training, retention, and digital enablement ensures continued leadership in workforce innovation.
Katie Bleiler is an accomplished Energy Sector Executive at TRC Companies with over 25 years of progressive leadership experience in high-impact roles across the electric power industry. She has led major transmission and distribution (T&D) construction projects and electrical testing and commissioning efforts with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and client satisfaction. With deep expertise in resource management and operational execution, she has successfully supported large-scale initiatives for utilities, municipalities, and commercial and industrial clients, including complex data center systems. Known for her strategic vision and relentless pursuit of excellence, she continues to drive innovation and performance in the utilities sector.