| |
ETA News Release: [July 17, 2008]
|
|
Contact Name:
Phone Number: |
Jennifer Kaplan
202-693-5052 |
Terry Shawn
202-693-4676 |
|
| |
Chicago’s Carreras en Salud receives U.S. Labor Department’s Recognition of Excellence Award for ‘tapping the talents of special populations in the workforce’
Honor presented at national Workforce Innovations Conference
NEW ORLEANS – Carreras en Salud (Careers in Health) today received the U.S. Department of Labor’s Recognition of Excellence Award in the “tapping the talents of special populations in the workforce” category at the national 2008 Workforce Innovations Conference being held in New Orleans. Throughout this week, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell is presenting the fifth annual Recognition of Excellence Awards, which honor workforce investment system programs from around the country that have achieved outstanding success.
“Carreras en Salud has successfully created flexible career pathways for Hispanics to alleviate shortages of bilingual health care workers,” said Orrell. “This program provides multiple entry and exit points, and offers resources, such as onsite child care, to those seeking to advance their careers in the health professions. Programs like these are critical to meeting high-growth industry needs now and in the future.”
The National Council of La Raza created Carreras en Salud to improve the shortage of bilingual health care professionals in the Chicago area. The program offers training for certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse and other allied health care positions such as phlebotomists and electrocardiogram technicians. As a result of this program, area employers have been able to hire more local residents. These employers include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Lakeview Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, and Woodbridge Nursing Pavilion.
The program has achieved a 95 percent retention rate and has graduated 98 percent of those staying in the program. Since its inception, Carreras en Salud has graduated 100 licensed practical nurses, all of whom have been placed in jobs. Replication of Carreras en Salud is anticipated in two other markets by the end of 2008.
The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration presents Recognition of Excellence honors in five categories. The “tapping the talents of special populations in the workforce” category recognizes programs, projects or initiatives that provide effective career-enhancement services to populations facing barriers to employment.
The annual Workforce Innovations Conference offers an opportunity for state and local government representatives, private sector workforce and economic development officials, and educators to collaborate on issues affecting the U.S. workforce.
###
U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
|
|
