It starts with taking care of our people. Beyond the foundation of providing competitive benefits offerings, a fair and equitable wage, and a safe place to work, we are creating an environment where associates feel engaged, included, and a sense of belonging. We are committed to providing equal opportunity, which leads to greater diversity of thoughts, ideas and the innovation we need to move the business forward. We are committed to continuous training and learning—hallmarks of the TDS Family of Businesses since its founding.
Check out our DE&I or our Working at TDS pages for more information about how we work to create an environment where our associates can thrive.
TDS Training and Development
TDS recognizes that our associates are our most important asset and, as such, we believe in investing in our people to build upon their knowledge and skills. A few of the ways that we support associate training and development include financial support for education and internal development opportunities.
At the business units, UScellular associates completed an average of 13 hours of training in 2022. At TDS Telecom, 10 hours of instructor-led training was completed by 469 associates in 2022, and 944 associates completed 3.4 hours of e-learning training.
Education Assistance Our Education Assistance Plan offers educational assistance to eligible associates pursuing further education at accredited institutions or state-licensed certifications. In 2022, the TDS family of companies contributed over $2.5 million to support 483 associates looking to further their education.
Development Assignments Associates looking to gain experience in different business functions or areas can choose to apply for optional, internal development assignments related to a specific need on a team or a special project. These temporary placements give associates exposure to their area of interest. In 2022, nearly 150 associates participated in formal development assignments or rotations.