Rendell Administration Recognizes 9 Employers, Training Providers for Job-Training, Hiring Achievements

HERSHEY, Pa., May 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nine employers and training providers received the Governor's Achievement Award for outstanding hiring and workforce development success. Rendell administration officials and representatives of state workforce development agencies personally recognized them for their accomplishments.

The awards were presented today at the 26th annual Pennsylvania Partners Employment, Training & Education Conference, held at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center.

The awards are jointly sponsored by state workforce development agencies – the departments of Labor & Industry, Aging, Education and Public Welfare – and Pennsylvania Partners to recognize exceptional employers and training providers who promote outstanding hiring practices and workforce development practices.

"Nearly seven out of 10 workers age 45 to 74 say they plan to work in some capacity in retirement," said Secretary of Aging John Michael Hall. "Many like their work and enjoy being productive and useful. It may be a stereotype – but I believe it's true – that many older workers bring discipline and a sense of pride that is key to success on the job."

The awards also salute individuals and former cash assistance recipients for overcoming personal barriers to achieve professional success.

"Employers need a workforce with the skill and training necessary to excel in the knowledge-based workplace," said Department of Labor & Industry acting Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Robert Garraty. "The employers we honor today exemplify the kind of outstanding partnership that's possible among businesses, the PA CareerLink^® network and the state's local workforce investment boards."

"Employers are coming to understand the enormous contribution individuals with disabilities can make in the workplace," said Department of Labor & Industry Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Director William Gannon. "By working closely with employers, tailoring assistive technologies to meet individuals' and employers' needs, we're able to help everyone involved be more productive, successful and independent."

"Pennsylvania Career and Technical Centers provide real life training that helps students obtain satisfying job placement after high school," acting Education Secretary Thomas E. Gluck said. "The working relationship between Career and Technical Centers and the surrounding communities ensures that the training meets the workforce demands of the region— this type of partnership should be applauded."

"The employers we are honoring today have shown a commitment to helping Pennsylvanians achieve jobs skills and the self-sufficiency that those skills foster," said Department of Public Welfare Secretary Harriet Dichter. "Through their efforts, they are helping us build Pennsylvania's businesses, communities and families."

Pennsylvania Partners, an association of workforce development professionals in each of the commonwealth's 22 workforce investment areas, sponsors this annual event that attracts more than 1,200 private and public job-training experts from across Pennsylvania.

For more information about individual winners, visit www.paworkforce.state.pa.us.

Editor's Note: The award winners are listed below:

Pennsylvania Department of Aging

Hall of Fame of Champions of Older Workers 2010 Outstanding Employer

• Sonrise Security & Patrol Inc., Fayette County

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Education Workforce Leadership Award Partnership

• Green County Career and Technology Center & Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority, Green County

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and Pennsylvania Partners

Governor's Workforce Development Awards

Eastern Pennsylvania

• SEPTA, Bucks County

Central Pennsylvania

• Lockheed Martin AeroParts, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties

Western Pennsylvania & Employer of the Year

• Fisher & Ludlow, Inc., Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Venango and Warren counties

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Governor's Award for Employers Hiring Workers with Disabilities

• Lowes Regional Distribution, Pittston, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

Employer Honor Roll Awards

• Abel Personnel, Central Pennsylvania Region
• Community Behavioral Health, Philadelphia County
• Scott Enterprises, Erie County

Media contacts:

Christopher S. Manlove, L&I; 717-787-7530

Michael Race, Public Welfare; 717-787-9157

Leah Harris, Education; 717-783-9802

Jane Crawford, Aging; 717-783-1549

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry