Enhancing professionalism at GPU nuclear

Late in 1988, GPU Nuclear embarked on a major program aimed at enhancing Professionalism at its Oyster Creek and Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Stations. The program was also to include its Corporate Headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey. The overall program was to take several directions which included on-site degree programs, a sabbatical leave-type program for personnel to finish college degrees, advanced technical training for licensed staff, career progression for SROs and expanded teamwork and leadership training for control room crews. The largest portion of this initiative was the development and delivery of professionalism training to the nearly two thousand people at both sites. Three primary philosophies guided the development of the program. Employees as Experts: First, GPU Nuclear employees were considered to be the most valuable source of information for designing a Professionalism program because it is these individuals who are sensitive to the issues encountered in the workplace. Realism: The second philosophy guiding this effort was that the program must be grounded in real life challenges that employees face and must address. Active Learning: The third guiding philosophy was that, in order to have any real impact on the way employees think about professionalism, the program must utilize active rather than passive learning techniques