KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Experience Works Inc., headquartered in Arlington, Va., today received the U.S. Department of Labor’s Recognition of Excellence award in the “Recognizing Special Populations in the Workforce” category at the national 2007 Workforce Innovations Conference being held in Kansas City. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco presented the fourth annual honors, which recognize workforce investment system programs from around the country that have achieved outstanding success.
“Our honorees have shown that they are innovative leaders in providing workers with the opportunities and tools to help them compete in today’s global economy,” said DeRocco. “Their outstanding work serves as a model for others to learn from and apply to their own regional economic and talent development strategies.”
The Employment Assistance Project by Experience Works Inc. utilizes increasing numbers of older workers and small business employment opportunities to maintain a skilled rural workforce. Using Small Business Administration funds, the project hired liaisons to identify small businesses with unfilled positions and convince their owners to employ older workers.
Through the Senior Community Service Employment Program, disadvantaged older workers were identified, trained and placed. Additionally, some older workers obtained certifications, took Spanish classes, or received training in high-demand health care occupations.
The Labor Department’s Employment and Training Administration presents Recognition of Excellence honors in five categories. The “Recognizing Special Populations in the Workforce” category addresses the critical need to find ways to integrate every available worker into the labor force. Honorees in this category provide effective services to special populations, including individuals with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency, homeless individuals and migrant farm workers.
The Workforce Innovations Conference provides an annual opportunity for state and local government representatives, private sector workforce and economic development officials, and educators to collaborate on workforce issues.
