Craig Smolenski loves helping people learn.
As the training specialist for the University of Georgia Facilities Management Division’s operations and maintenance department, he’s setting people up for success through training initiatives.
“I enjoy people,” he said. “We’re all trying to get to the same goal.”
Smolenski moved to Athens in the early 2000s to pursue a master’s degree in sociolinguistics. Although he didn’t finish the degree, he liked the area enough stay and work with Cracker Barrel as a training coordinator for several years.
Smolenski came to UGA in 2008 as an assistant manager at the former Bolton Dining Commons. He also served as assistant manager at Snelling Dining Commons. With his background, he then took on a training role for Dining Services. Eventually, he moved into his current role in operations and maintenance.
“What’s really neat with this department is that it’s highly specialized,” he said.
Smolenski originally wanted to be teacher and enjoys that aspect of his current position. Even in his previous positions with Dining Services, he would spend time with student workers doing mock interviews or looking over resumes.
“Now, I’m getting to do a lot of the same things with adult learners,” he said. “Being a part of that journey and being able to help them is so cool.”
Smolenski’s department includes everything from welding to plumbing to carpentry, and it can be tricky to find training sources for that wide variety of needs and then make sure they work within the university’s Professional Education Portal. Sometimes, he’s creating trainings from scratch or even curating custom textbooks with the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
“It’s good to help one or two departments, but it’s more effective if we can help them all,” he said. “Everybody is important.”
Smolenski has found that there is a huge market for HVAC and electrical training, but it can be harder to find local programs addressing training needs for other departments. For some areas, people can go through an apprenticeship, where there is both classroom learning and on-the-job experiential training.
Before setting up a training even begins, there has to be a need for it. So, Smolenski reaches out to colleagues to gauge what those needs might be. From there, he starts asking questions — what are the requirements and can the department provide it? He might then lean on artificial intelligence for a framework. He also pays close attention to timing, as well, to make sure trainings are convenient for FMD employees.
“If I can’t make it happen, I know who can,” he said. “I can point them in the right direction.”
No two days are the same for Smolenski. After going through emails, his mornings are often spent with other areas of the department. His afternoons are usually spent in classes or meetings. Although he loves teaching classes, he finds the one-on-one meetings the most meaningful.
Smolenski’s service extends beyond his own department. He’s served on Finance and Administration’s Staff Representative Group and as a member of the UGA Staff Council. He also was on the University Council as chair of the Human Resources Committee.
“I got to see the inner workings,” he said. “I learned so much about what’s going on across the university.”
Smolenski hopes the groundwork from his trainings lasts far beyond his time at the university.
“Training is essential,” he said. “I like what I do, and I like being part of UGA.”