Celebrating a Decade of Learning: Liberty Utilities' 10th Annual Learn @ Work Week

For the past 10 years, Liberty’s Learn at Work Week (L@WW) has been a cornerstone of our commitment to employee development. Typically held during the 3rd or 4th quarters of the year, L@WW has become an anticipated event within our organization. Each year, the responsibility of leading this ambitious project is entrusted to a member of the Talent and Development Team. And this year, in 2023, it was my privilege to step into the role of project lead.

I'll admit, it was a challenge I eagerly embraced, albeit with a few nerves along the way. With no prior experience in such a pivotal role, I embarked on the journey of planning and preparing for this year's event, armed with the support and guidance of my fellow team members and the L@WW Committee.

This year's L@WW themes were inspired by insights from our Employee Engagement survey, with a focus on the crucial elements that drive employee engagement and enablement at Liberty. These are aligned around four key themes – Value, Belonging, Communication, and Future Vision – which have been incorporated into the activities, workshops, and resources offered during this event.

Our team consists of dedicated individuals who have been instrumental in organizing and planning the event and its various activities for our Liberty colleagues. I want to express my sincere thanks to the L@WW Committee members from our various regions - without their invaluable input and assistance, I wouldn't feel as well-prepared.

Our collaborative efforts extended beyond our committee as we worked closely with the Corporate Communications and Cybersecurity teams to make this year's L@WW event truly exceptional. In keeping with the spirit of Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October 2023), which coincides with our event dates from October 16th to 27th, we collaborated with the Cybersecurity team to incorporate micro-learning courses and videos into our program. These additions aimed to raise awareness and enhance our peers' knowledge of cybersecurity – a crucial aspect of today's digital world.

The indispensable contributions of the Corporate Communications team cannot be overstated. They provided us with the L@WW promotional materials, eye-catching posters, and user-friendly templates, all of which were instrumental in creating an engaging and visually appealing event. Their expertise, support, and seamless coordination were instrumental in bringing our vision to life.

Through this journey, I've come to appreciate the profound interdependence that exists between employees and teams at Liberty. It's a testament to the fact that the success of any project, no matter how ambitious, is a collective effort. I'm tremendously grateful for the unwavering support and commitment of our entire team. As a first-time project lead, the encouragement and backing I received from my planning committee and team have been nothing short of motivating. Their unwavering belief in my abilities has spurred me on to achieve results.

Our overarching goal for this year's event, and for every L@WW moving forward, is to shift our employee development from a mere training culture to a vibrant learning culture. We aspire to empower our employees to take the initiative in their own learning journeys, fostering a culture of continuous growth and development within our organization.

As we celebrate a decade of L@WW, I'm excited about the journey ahead and the transformative impact it will have on our Liberty culture. In conclusion, being a part of Liberty Utilities' Talent Development Team has been an enriching journey and being L@WW project lead has been a tremendous learning curve for me as well. It's a testament to Liberty's commitment to nurturing a culture of learning, growth, and collaboration. Together, we're shaping a future where our employees have the tools they need to thrive, both personally and professionally.