BNSF believes in the power of diversity in our workforce. Diversity-related highlights in 2018 include:
We also promote diversity by participating in scholarship programs that benefit minority students, such as Girls Inc., and through the BNSF Railway Foundation we support organizations, including the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and the United Negro College Fund.
BNSF values veterans. We employ more than 7,400 military veterans (approximately 17 percent of our workforce). BNSF supports reservists as well, enabling time off for training and deployment.
In 2018, as part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we established a business resource group for veterans, reservists and first responders. BRAVE, which stands for Business Resource and Veterans Engagement, is designed to support all veterans working across our network. BRAVE works to engage communities, build the leadership skills of its members, and provide ongoing career development support to help drive success for them and for our company.
At BNSF, every employee has access to targeted, role-based training and on-boarding, with an emphasis on safety, technical expertise and leadership. BNSF team members receive training on best-in-class simulators, through structured on-the-job rotations and from industry experts, their peers and BNSF leaders. In 2018, the quality of our leadership development, and technical and safety training programs was recognized with a Top 5 global ranking from Training Magazine.
Multiple programs promote career development, including our Management Trainee, Experienced First Line Supervisor and First Line Supervisor programs. Other career development resources include formalized feedback and coaching, leadership training, mentoring programs, tuition reimbursement and experiential job-rotation assignments.
In 2018, the BNSF Employee Assistance Program (EAP) received the prestigious Quality Award from the Employee Assistance Professional Association (EAPA). BNSF EAP provides professional and personalized assistance for employees and family members facing work and home challenges.