"To promote learning within any organization, and to enhance productivity, we need to create a work environment where employees can have the opportunity to unleash their talents; to think creatively; and to set goals that are consistent with both personal and company needs." Diane D. Rentfrow, Vice President, Human Capital Management

The Employee Development University's Philosophy reflects one statement — People are Our Competitive Advantage!

This statement is tied to the principles and values that form the bedrock of our company's culture. The values serve as the springboard to our corporate university vitality. As one of our employees stated recently: "Employee Development is the Springboard to Everything Else."

The philosophy statement is underscored with a sense of shared qualities among the Employee Development University team which form the basis for the following goals:

• Develop a continuum of programs that address core competencies for the water industry.
• Create a collaborative organization that values human resources, enhances customer service, and ignites a sense of positive urgency for lifelong learning.
• Encourage innovation and leadership among the organization's employees.
• Provide value-added learning that measures results and shows transfer of employee skills to enhance productivity and personal growth.

Underlying all of the University's goals is a firm commitment to these principles:

• Training is the task; employee development is the process. Employee development fosters personal and career growth.
• Learning is a life-long process based on individual motivation, self-directiveness and initiative.
• Employee development programs and services must demonstrate and reflect the methodology aligned with the adult learning philosophy in order to bring about change in the worker's behavior.
• Corporate education enhances productivity and helps to foster a service culture.