Nine Pennsylvania Businesses Recognized for Efforts to Keep Pennsylvanians Working

HERSHEY, Pa., May 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Governor's Achievement Awards were presented today by Governor Wolf's cabinet secretaries to nine employers and training providers for outstanding hiring and workforce development success at the 2017 Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association Employment, Training & Education Conference.

The awards are jointly sponsored by state workforce development agencies ? the departments of Aging, Labor & Industry, Human Services, and Education ? and the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association to recognize exceptional employers and training providers who promote outstanding hiring and workforce development practices.

In addition, Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation presented two #CollaborationWorksPA Awards. Antwanette Ross was recognized as a student participant with OVR, while Braddock Borough was recognized as an employer championing OVR's initiatives. 

"One of Labor & Industry's main missions is to help job seekers find employment, but the other side of that coin is to help employers find a well-trained, reliable workforce," said Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino. "Working within the state's workforce development system is a great way to get started on that goal, and I commend the employers honored here today for their participation. With regards to the employers honored for their work with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, we cannot speak highly enough of your dedication to hiring individuals with disabilities."

Manderino was represented at the awards ceremony by Eileen Cipriani, deputy secretary for workforce development.

"The Department of Human Services is proud of the successes of Morgan Corporation, Ideal Concepts, Inc., and Hope Enterprises. Increasing employment opportunities for the people we serve is a top priority at DHS. The work of each of these organizations exemplifies does just that. In hiring outstanding employees, they have helped individuals become self-sufficient which helps the entire commonwealth," said Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas. "The department congratulates these companies on their accomplishments and hopes that their successes will encourage others to follow in their footsteps."

Dallas was represented at the awards ceremony by Kim Lay, acting deputy secretary for the Office of Income Maintenance.

"The Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center offers real-world training in a variety of disciplines that help students obtain satisfying and valuable job placement after high school," said Education Secretary Rivera said. "The working industry partnership for youth in the automotive industry, between the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center and Smail Auto Group, helps prepare students for entry-level career positions or advanced studies in automotive technology and is a great example of how industry partnerships can help meet the workforce demands of the region. These mutually beneficial partnerships should be applauded."

Rivera was represented at the awards ceremony by Dr. Lee Burket, director of the Bureau of Career and Technical Education.

"As a state with one of the lowest birth rates and one of the highest populations of persons age 60 and older in the country, cities like Bethlehem and employers like the city's Recycling Bureau, are wisely looking to older workers to be part of the solution to address a shrinking working-age population," said Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne.  "Bethlehem's Recycling Bureau investment in, and commitment to including, the city's older adults in order to sustain a vibrant workforce supports their efforts to build a thriving community while strengthening their economy. By tapping into their local Senior Community Service Employment Program, Bethlehem is leading by example and demonstrating to other employers that older workers are a genuine asset in the workplace."  

Osborne was represented at the awards ceremony by Terry Barley, deputy secretary of aging.

The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, the voice of the Pennsylvania workforce investment system and a clearinghouse for workforce development information statewide, sponsors this annual conference, which attracts more than 800 private and public job training experts from across Pennsylvania.

Following is a list of award recipients:

Department of Labor & Industry and Pennsylvania Partners
Governor's Job Creator Awards

Eastern Pennsylvania

• Brown's Super Stores, Inc.

Central Pennsylvania

• Opportunity Construction, LLC

Western Pennsylvania

• TruFoodMfg

Department of Labor & Industry Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Governor's Award for Employers Hiring Workers with Disabilities

• Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

#CollaborationWorksPA Award

• Braddock Borough
• Antwanette Ross

Department of Aging
Hall of Fame of Champions of Older Workers 2016 Outstanding Employer

• City of Bethlehem Recycling Bureau

Department of Human Services
Employer Honor Roll Awards

• Morgan Corporation
• Ideal Concepts, Inc.
• Hope Enterprises

Department of Education
Education Workforce Leadership Award

• Central Westmoreland Career & Technical Center and Smail Auto Group

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lindsay Bracale, L&I; 717-787-7530
Casey Smith, Education; 717-783-9802
Drew Wilburne, Aging; 717-783-1550
Rachel Kostelac, Human Services; 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry