Hiring Manager Recruits Former Employees

As the Training and Competency Program Manager for Chevron’s Horizon training program, Beth Hutton is responsible for making sure the curriculum used to train new hires with zero to five years of experience is interesting and relevant.

When Hutton started searching for instructors who could energize and inspire these new employees, she turned to Chevron alumni and the Bridges program. “Many retirees and former employees have 20 to 30 years experience. They have spent their professional lives doing just what we’re expecting these new hires to do. You can’t beat that level of experience,” she says.

Hutton turned to colleague Steve Peggers, who knew just the alumni perfect for the contract teaching positions. “Steve has worked with people in the environmental community for years and knew the experience level we were searching for,” Hutton relates.

After identifying candidates, Hutton and Peggers went to Human Resources, who conducted the online search and contracted the retirees.

Stephen Ziman, who teaches the Environmental Technology course for the Horizons program, admits he wasn’t ready to retire after 31 years with the company. “I was just seeking greater flexibility. As a contractor, I can set my own schedule.”

“Former employees like Stephen not only have the level of working knowledge we need, but they also have the same cultural framework we have. We can ensure we’re delivering the Chevron message,” Hutton says.

She explains that the information instructors like Ziman can share with employees is much more valuable than an external vendor. “Our teachers really know their material. They know all the regulators. They bring credibility to the program because they are so well respected in the industry.”

Hutton enjoys taking in all the action during a teaching session. “There is this energy in the room. It’s fun to watch how the instructors change when they walk into a room of 20 young people. These are very engaging sessions, and the feedback we receive from students is very positive.”

“It’s exciting to see how new employees interact and to be able to share with them fundamental elements of our corporate culture, like the importance of credibility in everything we do,” Ziman relates.

As the Horizons program takes off globally, Hutton plans to recruit more former employees for teaching positions. “Whether for a short- or long-term work project, you can’t beat Chevron alumni. These former employees deliver solid experience and a work product that is consistent with Chevron’s way of doing business,” she concludes.

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