Customer Academy

HUA Customer Academy: Connecting Our Community

 

Apply for the Customer Academy

 

At Humboldt Utilities Authority (HUA), our most important goal is to open clear and effective channels of communication with our customers. We believe that well-informed cusomters are empowered customers–and that's why we're launching the HUA Customer Academy.

This five-week educational program is designed to give participants an inside look at how HUA provides and maintains essential services including electricity, gas, water, wastewater, customer service, and broadband infrastructure.

Through facility tours, hands-on demonstrations, and presentations by HUA staff, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the utility services that power our homes and community. The Academy also addresses frequently asked questions and clears up common misconceptions about how we operate.

Program Details

Who Can Attend:

• Open to all HUA customers ages 18 and older

Commitment:

• Must be able to attend weekly sessions for 5 weeks

Tentative Weekly Schedule

• Week 1 (September 2)
  • Welcome & Introduction | Administrative & Finance Overview
• Week 2 (September 9)
  • Electric Department & Customer Service | Live Demonstration
• Week 3 (September 16)
  • Wastewater Treatment | Facility Tour
• Week 4 (September 23)
  • Gas Distribution & Water Treatment | Overview and Plant Tour
• Week 5 (September 30)
  • Water and Wastewater Distribution | Live Demonstration

Why Join?

• Learn how your utilities work behind the scenes
• Meet the people who serve your community
• Become an informed voice in local utility matters
• Ask questions and get accurate answers directly from HUA professionals

If you're ready to deepen your understanding of Humboldt Utilities Authority and how we serve you every day, we invite you to apply for the HUA Customer Academy.

 

Apply for the Customer Academy

 

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HUA Customer Academy Details

I. General

Program Duration

• The HUA Customer Academy is a five-week program, meeting once a week for two hours.

Eligibility Requirements

• Participants must live in or own a business within the HUA service area.
• To apply, interested individuals must complete a pre-registration form. Once submitted, HUA will verify the applicant's address to confirm eligibility.
• Eligible customers are added to the pre-registration list in the order forms are received.
• If an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements, they will be notified by letter.

Participant Selection

• Participation is limited to 12 customers per class, selected on a submission date and eligibility basis.
• If a registration form is not returned by the deadline, HUA may follow up by phone. If no response is received or the applicant declines, the next person on the list will be contacted.

Program Fees & Attendance

• Free of charge to all participants
• Due to the limited class size, we ask participants to commit to attending all sessions.

II. Materials Provided

HUA will provide each participant with a Customer Academy T-shirt, name tag, and a welcome folder containing the program schedule and itinerary.

III. Schedule & Itinerary

A detailed program schedule, listing all session dates and departments, will be mailed with the registration confirmation letter.

A full itinerary will be included in the welcome folder distributed at the first session.

IV. Session Details

Format

Each department develops its own agenda to make the session interactive and hands-on. Presentations, equipment demonstrations, and staff-led discussions give participants a close-up look at daily operations.

Meeting Locations

Participants will meet at designated locations, which will be provided in advance. Transportation is not provided.

Promotion & Outreach

The Academy will be promoted through:

• Press releases
• HUA's official website
• HUA's Facebook page

Photos & Media

• Participants must sign a photo/video release waiver included in the registration form.
• Photos will be taken during each session and may be used to promote the Academy on HUA's website and social media platforms.

 

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Customer Academy Registration Form

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is this?

A free program created and organized by HUA to educate residents and business owners about their local utility.

Q: Why was this program created?

To provide residents an inside look at HUA and provide them with the education and skills necessary to make better informed customers, with an accurate knowledge of our many responsibilities and functions.

Q: Who can participate in the program?

The program is held once each year and is open to residents and business owners within the HUA coverage area.

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Q: When is the program?

The program consists of 5 consecutive sessions on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Q: What do I do at the beginning of each class?

When you arrive at each class, be sure to sign in and pick up your evaluation form for that session.

You will be asked to fill out an evaluation form for each class and turn it in before you leave.

Q: Where are the classes held?

The classes will be held at the main HUA office, unless otherwise communicated to you before the next class.

Information on the classes in in each participant's acceptance letter and a detailed agenda of each class will be provided.

Q: May I bring a guest or relative to these activities?

Unfortunately, due to space limitations, participants may not bring any guests to the classes; however, they will be encouraged to bring one guest to their graduation ceremony.

 

Apply for the Customer Academy