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How do you keep a national organization spanning over 30 branch offices with more than 1,500 employees in lockstep on safety protocols and best practices in the disaster recovery industry?

That was the question facing ATI Restoration three years ago. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was the perfect storm that convinced the company that it needed to supplement its robust training program held at its headquarters, according to ATI’s Training Manager, Melissa Delatorre. “That’s how ATI University was born,” she said.

It was the perfect storm that convinced the company that it needed to supplement its robust training program held at its headquarters, according to ATI’s Training Manager, Melissa Delatorre. “That’s how ATI University was born,” she said. 

 

What Is ATI University? 

 

At first, ATI University was a series of training documents. But as the company pivoted to Zoom with the pandemic, it started using a Learning Management System (LMS) to reach employees in field operations. 

Today, there are more than 700 live and self-paced training opportunities in ATI University, including more than 175 field training courses. Some of these courses cover the company’s standard operating procedures, explaining what the company does, how it does it, and why it matters. The training department continually adds new titles as it works with its branches to identify gaps in learning that it needs to fill and reinforce with a course. To strengthen its learning options, the company has contracted with Reets Drying Academy to offer roughly 40 courses on water mitigation, with the goal of helping technicians earn certifications. 

ATI’s training programs are wide-ranging, covering topics including: 

At onboarding, all employees complete required training, including courses covering ATI orientation, sexual harassment, defensive driving, and OSHA safety requirements. Then, employees continue their training with a curriculum specific to their job function and areas of expertise.  

For example, technicians study topics such as water damage restoration, applied structural drying, fire and smoke restoration, and odor control. Employees eligible to conduct biohazard projects complete training that covers various bio-recovery standards, trauma scene waste management, bloodborne pathogens, donning/doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE), and hazardous materials. Employees in our environmental division are required to complete asbestos abatement and applied microbial remediation training. 

 

Going Above and Beyond 

 

In addition to courses that cover job responsibilities, the company has also added hundreds of courses that Delatorre says address soft skills. She explained, “We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced training on tools including Excel and PowerPoint so people can keep growing their abilities.” The company has partnered with Pryor Learning to deliver supervisor, management, and leadership training that covers skills such as coaching and team building. 

Because of the varied schedule and locations of staff, the company has also added weekly safety tailgate meetings to ensure comprehensive coverage. This way, every employee is up-to-date on the latest safety information and best practices, and the company tracks attendance.

 

The Future of Training at ATI 

 

Delatorre says the next step in the training journey is helping employees figure out what training they need to take the next step in their careers. “We’re helping employees create growth plans and their plans can align with training through ATI University. So, if someone wants to be a Project Director, we can start them on courses that set them on the right path.” 

So far, ATI University has had a tremendous impact. Last year alone, ATI employees completed more than155,585 training courses. Managers receive a report card for their employees, so they can make sure they have completed all required courses and continue strengthening their skills. 

To learn more about how ATI Restoration focuses on developing and offering growth opportunities to its employees, please get in touch with us today

 

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