OCC Locating Services has a comprehensive in-house training program for all newly hired employees. The training program is administered at the General Manager level, along with the support of the Field Supervisors and senior locators. The aim of OCC Locating Services is to bring a team approach to the training program, providing a more balanced and comprehensive knowledge base for our new employees.
Our training program is generally broken down into four phases:
- In-class training consists of locate signal theory, basic locate procedures, record reading, and the practical aspects of the locate. We also train all new locators in workplace safety as well as traffic safety. During the in-class training, the students must pass written and practical testing. Verification versus assumption is the hallmark of a good locator and a great deal of time is spent on this concept.
- On-the-job training follows the classroom sessions. Under the supervision of the Field Supervisor, new locators are paired up with a senior locator for training in the area where the new locator is likely to work. With the one-on-one coaching, the new locator is able to gain valuable insights into, and real world scenarios of, the underground utility locating industry.
- New employees are assigned with simple locating projects under the direct supervision of the Field Supervisor. This provides a good opportunity for reinforcement of prior training as the new locator works through the locate tickets practicing their problem-solving techniques.
- Finally, the new locator is assigned a territory and will be out locating on his own. The Field Supervisor will closely monitor the progress of the new locator and perform audits along with the General Manager. Gradually, the locators will be given more complex locate requests to complete until they are performing regular duties.
