The Givens Communities Training and Development Team, made up of Justin Upright, Rob Dirscherl and Keith Robinette, has earned the 2025 Workplace Excellence Award by LeadingAge North Carolina.

The award recognizes an investment in staff and workplace environment in fostering a healthy workplace culture and environment that promotes the recruitment, retention and development of staff at all levels of the organization through innovative workforce development practices.

LeadingAge North Carolina is a statewide association for retirement communities, including both continuing care communities, affordable housing providers, and business members. Through advocacy, education, innovation and collaboration, the membership organization provides expanded possibilities for aging, value to its members, and leadership to the field of aging.

Givens Training and Development Team supports four distinct campuses across Western North Carolina, with Givens Estates in Asheville, Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain, Givens Great Laurel in Waynesville and Givens Gerber Park in south Asheville. Professional roles range from dining services, healthcare, nursing, environmental services and maintenance, as well as accounting and administrative roles.

Among the team’s innovations was the implementation of the Givens Career Growth Program, which is a comprehensive performance strategy designed to support the professional development of team members.

The program helps participants explore, plan, and achieve their career objectives through skill enhancement, career satisfaction, and leadership development. It includes individual and group coaching sessions, Project Creation and Presentation, and a structured timeline of activities over a 13-week period. At a graduation ceremony, participants present their projects to team members and residents and receive a program certificate.

“Our Career Growth Program aims to build bench strength for future leadership roles,” said Rob Dirscherl, director of Training and Development. “Together, we enhance the overall career development of team members through structured, ongoing support and training.”

Another catalyst for employee success is the Cultivator Program, a buddy system method of workplace engagement that is proving quite successful for the senior living organization. Participants engage in four weeks of training, featuring one-hour weekly classes. New or transferring team members are matched with a seasoned team member, known as a “cultivator,” who offers advice, guidance, encouragement, as well as an introduction to Givens Communities culture and expectations.

The role of a cultivator lends peer support, answers policy and procedure questions, with weekly follow-ups during the first 30 days, and continued support for up to six months.

“We have found that this program brings a positive work environment, builds strong team bonds, and teaches valuable skills to our team members,” said Keith Robinette, Human Resources Career Coach and program coordinator.

Eligibility and selection for participation is based on supervisor recommendations, job performance, in good standing with at least a year’s employment, and successfully completing an assessment process and creation of an individual development plan.

“In the senior living field in the past, the avenues for professional growth and development have – far too often – been limited,” said Kevin Schwab, CEO of Givens Communities. “We, at Givens, recognize the need for career development. We recognize the immense potential within each of our team members and the critical impact they have on the lives of residents, each other, and the broader community. They are the heart and soul of Givens Communities, each and every day.

“There is a transformative power in professional growth, lifelong learning and fulfillment of individual potential,” he said. “That’s the triumph of our Career Growth Program, by providing those opportunities.”

The awards will be presented during a luncheon ceremony that will be held in conjunction with LeadingAge North Carolina’s 2025 Annual Conference in May.