EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT continued

include management, leadership, customer service, productivity, tools, tips and more. The Training and Development Department have increased course offerings significantly in the Learning Management System (LMS). More than 8,000 LinkedIn Learning courses are available to employees. In addition, new employees will be assigned training on WSCU to review topics such as:

- Harassment and discrimination

- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

- True Colors

- Customer service

- Timesheet tracking

- Retirement savings, and enrolling in a 401(k) or Roth

- Accessing the company clothing and apparel store

Lunch and Learns

Lunch and learns were reintroduced in May 2022, hosted by the Training and Development Department once a month. They focus on content in the areas of business knowledge within our family of companies (finance, strategic planning) and interpersonal skills that improve operational performance.

Individual Development

The Training and Development Department offers TST individual development options based on needs and desires. Additional leadership and professional development training programs and mentorship opportunities are available for employees.

TST employees are eligible for continuous education after one year of employment with an approved agreement. Tuition may be partially reimbursed for classes relating to any career goals or current position objectives. As the technology industry is ever changing, all employees are encouraged to partake in online and in-person trainings to keep their skills sharp.

True Colors

The True Colors® Personal Awareness & Success training guides participants through concepts of self-awareness and effective communication. This fun, interactive workshop helps individuals better understand themselves and others. It creates a common language, providing a foundation for genuine relationship building and honest dialogue.

Women of Wright

The first Women of Wright Workshop was held in June. The goal is to connect, educate and empower women in our family of companies by providing a community that can inspire and strengthen the voice of women in the industry. WSC’s family of companies had 18 employees participate in the workshop and eight employees on the planning committee.

LEAD Program

The LEAD Program is the preeminent leadership development program offered by WSC. The program currently takes place over the course of 18 months and consists of:

- Facilitated, in-person sessions at WSC headquarters in West Des Moines, Iowa

- Job shadow opportunity

- Participation in a mentor program

- Capstone project and presentation

Participants are nominated by leaders within the WSC family of companies. Nominators advocate for their nominee by illustrating that person’s leadership capabilities through real-life examples. Nominations are carefully reviewed and selected by the committee. Whether selected or not, getting nominated indicates that their leader believes in the employee’s leadership ability. Since the program’s inception, 61 employees have graduated from the program.

Executive Leadership Development Program

WSC provides the Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) to higher-level managers or recently appointed executives within our family of companies via nomination by an executive. Participants are ambassadors for our family of companies, demonstrate leadership in their daily interactions, and are deeply committed to personal growth and development. During this three-year program, participants complete a detailed 360 assessment, then receive results and interpretation from a leadership coach with support from their appointed executive sponsor. They use the opportunities from their 360 to create an individual development plan that includes coursework from a variety of providers, mentoring, coaching and job shadowing.

In 2022, there were eight ELDP graduates. These individuals represented five companies within our family of companies. Participants culminated the program by providing a detailed capstone presentation to the Wright Board of Directors and Executive Team, demonstrating the impact of their applied development on the organization in the areas of process improvements, efficiency gains, advanced effectiveness, human resource enhancements, and revenue saved or earned.