BRISTOL, Va., Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Natural
Resources, Inc.'s (NYSE: ANR) Running Right Leadership Academy
(RRLA) has been named the Best in Class among internal training
organizations and corporate universities by the Corporate Learning
Network.
The Corporate University Best in Class or CUBIC Awards are given
annually to those internal training organizations and corporate
universities that set standards of excellence in a variety of
categories relating to performance and results.
The Running Right Leadership Academy is a state-of-the-art
education facility and comprehensive training ground for safety and
operational excellence located in Julian,
W. Va., just outside Charleston.
Alpha Natural Resources Vice President for Learning and
Development, Cheryl Stapleton,
believes RRLA won the honor because of its comprehensive and
holistic approach to developing a valuable learning
experience. Stapleton said, "Providing learning opportunities
designed to blend technology and simulations to shift behaviors to
drive business results is another example of how we demonstrate
Running Right."
The RRLA contains facilities and equipment for supervisory
leadership skills training, plus a virtual reality lab with
simulators to provide training on a continuous mining machine, roof
bolter, scoop and haul truck. Those participating in training
at the RRLA can use multiple labs for electrical, maintenance and
welding instruction. In addition, workers can train in a
96,000 square foot mine lab that simulates real mine situations and
conditions. The Running Right Leadership Academy also houses a
command center for mine rescue and emergency preparedness
training.
Alpha Natural Resources Chairman and CEO Kevin Crutchfield said, "The Running Right
Leadership Academy is a commitment to our people and the future of
the industry. We believe investing in the safety of our
people is essential, and we're proud that our efforts have been
recognized by the Corporate Learning Network, as well as the
thousands of our co-workers, and even competitors who choose this
facility for their training."
Crutchfield said RRLA "was built by coal miners for coal miners.
It was designed to make miners feel comfortable and enjoy
their training experience. It serves as a demonstration of
Alpha's core belief in safety, and an extension of Alpha's
employee-driven Running Right safety philosophy, which
focuses on eliminating at-risk behavior through employee
observation and reporting."
The Running Right Leadership Academy opened in June 2013, and in addition to serving its primary
purpose as a training facility, has hosted many guests, including
international delegations and a number of leaders and dignitaries
here in the U.S. The RRLA provides classroom space for up to
300 people and served 22,000 in its first year, providing more than
220,000 hours of training.
About Alpha Natural Resources
Alpha Natural Resources
is one of the largest and most regionally diversified coal
suppliers in the United States.
With affiliate mining operations in Virginia, West
Virginia, Kentucky,
Pennsylvania and Wyoming, Alpha supplies metallurgical coal to
the steel industry and thermal coal to generate power to customers
on five continents. Consistent with its Running Right
process, Alpha is committed to being a leader in mine safety and an
environmental steward in the communities where its affiliates
operate. For more information, visit Alpha's website
(www.alphanr.com).
SOURCE Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.