METRONATIONAL EMPLOYEES HIT THE BOOKS (AND COMPUTERS) ON COMPANY TIME AND ON THE COMPANY'S DIME

From English as a Second Language to computer skills and safety training, MetroNational University (MNU) cultivates employees' professional development while improving productivity and retention

HOUSTON, TX. (July 26, 2005) - How do you sharpen your employees' professional skills and get them to stay with your company? MetroNational does it by sending them to specialized classes on company time and at the company's expense.

In 2004, MetroNational, a Memorial City-based real estate developer and community partner, debuted MetroNational University (MNU), a comprehensive continuing education program tailored to the learning path of each full- and part-time employee. Learning paths define the courses, materials, resources and support that an employee requires to be more successful at meeting the unique challenges of his or her job. For example, the learning path for a manager at one of MetroNational's properties might be Residential or Commercial Leadership. Upon successful completion of all courses in each learning path, MNU provides an award to that employee.

"We offer 60 to 90 classes a month, ranging from English as a Second Language to basic computer skills, customer service, safety and crisis management, with a lot in between," explained Jessica Frost, MetroNational director of Employee Development and Training and one of MNU's two instructors. Classes run from one to three hours in length and consist of what's known as "blended learning," a combination of instructor-led programs, seminars, videos and Web-based training.

Frost says that when she first opened the doors at MNU, the course catalogue listed 21 classes. This year's catalogue contains a listing of more than 100 classes, with 60 percent of MNU training conducted in Spanish. "MNU continues to enhance MetroNational's 'Best of Class' culture which provides a higher level of service to our customers, ultimately reducing expenses and positively impacting the bottom line." She says MNU will introduce new programs each year that then become part of the core curriculum. In 2004, it was customer service. In 2005, the big push is for ethics and values.

Over the next three years, plans call for the steady integration of "competency modeling," a technique in which instruction is tailored to the individual employee rather than to their job in general. Frost says that ensures that each MetroNational employee receives customized support based on his or her professional strengths and weaknesses. MNU will conduct an assessment of each employee on an ongoing basis "to see where they are and prescribe learning for that particular person versus a group." A library is also under construction to provide additional learning tools to employees, including books, magazines, training guides and videos.

Instructor-led courses are held in a high-tech classroom equipped with interactive, flat-screen computer terminals at the MNU training facility located at 1055 Gessner. Others are held about a mile away at MetroNational's corporate offices. Some take place in the field - literally - as is the case for members of the landscaping team, who find it more effective to learn new safety skills in their daily work environment than in a classroom setting. MNU provides training to the landscaping team at least two to three times a week.

This summer, MNU will implement a program designed to identify potential leaders within the company who will be mentored and promoted through the ranks. "Our leadership program will be part of succession planning - developing people to be in their bosses' shoes in two, three or four years, however long that may be," said Frost. "At the same time, their bosses will grow into new, more challenging positions of their own."

"MetroNational University represents a win-win for our employees, the company and our customers," said MetroNational President and COO Wayne Hays. "The program provides professional development for our employees, making them more productive and happier in what they do. The company, in turn, enjoys greater productivity and profitability, reduced turnover and enhanced safety practices. And improved customer service translates to satisfied customers."

The MNU mission statement reads as follows: "To promote intellectual, social and leadership growth through continual education for the purpose of recruiting, development of internal talent and retaining qualified, dedicated and motivated individuals."

Frost says that corporate training programs are extremely effective at improving workforce retention. "A traditional training program typically reduces employee turnover by 10 percent. That's a huge number."

Frost notes that before the year is out, MetroNational will have provided training to all of its approximately 400 employees as well as to 225 new employees consisting of security personnel who previously worked for an independent contractor. She says that since the inception of MNU, approximately 750 safety training courses have been completed. "All of our safety training is evaluated based on OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards and requirements."

A recent survey conducted for the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) - a group that governs corporate learning and organizational performance - showed that nationally, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIRE) businesses, the category in which MetroNational falls, spends an average of $935.86 per employee. MetroNational, however, is spending $1,300 per employee for training through MNU - about 30 percent more. ASTD has found that firms that invested $1,500 for training per employee compared to $125 per employee realized an average of 24 percent higher gross profits and 218 percent higher income per employee.

Other studies identify additional benefits to educational programs like those offered by MNU. Avatech Solutions found that a two percent increase in productivity can net 100 percent return on investment. And a Louis Harris and Associates poll found that 41 percent of employees in companies that offer poor or no training plan to leave within one year.

MetroNational employees can conveniently register for all MNU classes online at mnu.metronational.com or by calling the MNU hotline at 713.586.6266.

About MetroNational MetroNational is a privately held real estate investment, development and management company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Established in 1954, the company is active in commercial, healthcare, residential, restaurant, retail and automotive markets throughout Texas. # # #