Concern is expressed that, by 2006 64% of managers in the Mississippi Department of Transport (MDOT) would be eligible for retirement and the willingness of middle managers to take on leadership positions. This study presents MDOT's experience in establishing the state's formal succession planning process - the set of programs for building the technical and leadership skills of middle managers and younger employees. The following issues are discussed: identifying audiences which fall into five categories (executives, middle managers, young employees, students, and the general public);developing key messages for one's own staff and everyone else; deliveringthe messages; and maintaining momentum. The objectives, methods and outcomes of three case studies are described: the LEAD (Leadership, Enhancement, Assessment, and Development) program, geared toward employees who show promise as future senior and executive level managers; TRAC (TRansportationand Civil Engineering) and RIDES (Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students) aimed at stimulating students' interest in transportations issues and improving maths and science skills; the Transploreum - a system based on such things as wireless computers and video conferencing, designed to enhance the wider communities' awareness and perception of the transportation industry and enrich education for students of all ages. For the coveringabstract see ITRD E139491.
Abstract