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Pictured at the 2019 Annual Awards of Excellence Luncheon, left to right, are Marilyn Smith, executive director, guest speaker Natalie Thompson, ExxonMobil, and Sue Daniels, workforce board chair. -
Pictured are representatives of Region 5 Education Service Center, S&B Engineers and Constructors, Wells Fargo Bank, and the workforce board at the 2019 Annual Awards of Excellence Luncheon, March 3.
Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas welcomed over 100 guests to share in the recognition of employers, sponsors, partners and individuals in workforce development during the annual Awards of Excellence event, dubbed “Let’s Get to Work!.” Natalie Thompson, board member and Beaumont Mechanical Manager for ExxonMobil, was the guest speaker for the event. Thompson, an ardent supporter of women in industry, spoke of the importance of skilled labor in light of the $54 billion dollars in construction and expansion projected for Southeast Texas.
Employers and businesses were recognized for their partnership with workforce development and creation of innovative training solutions for workers.
“These training and hiring initiatives will have a positive economic impact throughout our local communities as we work with employers to meet manpower demands, and help more people find employment,” commented Marilyn Smith, executive director.
Bonne Vie, an assisted living facility in Port Arthur, was recognized as the 2019 Outstanding Local Employer of Excellence. Other awards included S&B Engineers and Constructors, 2019 Large Employer of the Year and Chanetta Dickerson, recognized as the 2019 Childcare Provider of the Year. The new “Building SETX Talent” award recognized the following businesses for innovative collaboration with Workforce Solutions and for implementation of an employment and training consortium: S&B Engineers and Constructors, Region 5 Education Service Center and Wells Fargo Bank.
Workforce Solutions also recognized four individuals as 2019 Workforce Ambassadors: Alexis Harris, Jonah Fitzgerald, Eric Bass and Awna Jackson.
Sponsor and partners for the 5th Annual Youth Career Expo were recognized for their support of local youth initiatives. Platinum sponsors included Industry of Southeast Texas (ISET) and International Safety Training Council (ISTC). Bechtel Corporation, Golden Pass LNG, Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar University were recognized as Gold sponsors. Silver sponsors included 5Point Credit Union, Golden Triangle Business Roundtable (GTBR), Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT), Plumbers Local No. 68, Port of Beaumont, Beaumont Electrical JATC, Entergy Texas, Lamar State College Orange and The Lee Group.
2019 Special Initiative Partners and Volunteers category included Entergy Texas, Region 5 Education Service Center, Southeast Texas Human Resources Association (SETHRA), Junior Achievement of the Golden Triangle (JA) and Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
The Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas Centers received recognition for receipt of a $30,000 monetary incentive for serving a significant number of foster youth.
The Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas Board is a business-led group of volunteers that evaluates and oversees the delivery of all workforce training and employment services in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties. The board’s overall mission is to identify opportunities and create partnerships that effectively link employers and job seekers to improve the economic future of the area. Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas brings together a myriad of programs for easy access for employers and job seekers.
For more information, please contact the board’s administrative offices at (409) 719-4752.