NEWS
2009 Governor's Summit Workforce Award Winners Announced
CHEYENNE - On May 28th, 2009, the third Governors Summit on Workforce Solutions awarded six individuals/organizations with workforce awards. Six awards were given - Innovation in the Workplace Award, the Workforce Partnership Award, Outstanding Individual Performance Award, the Outstanding Investment in Older Workers Outstanding Investment in Young Workers Award Small Business and Outstanding Investment in Younger Workers Large Business.
The awards were given by the Wyoming Workforce Development Council, in partnership with the Department of Workforce Services.
Joan Evans, Director of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, said, "It was a pleasure to present the awards to these deserving individuals and companies who were chosen out of the largest group of nominees we've ever had for this program."
Evans added, "Their contributions to Wyoming's workforce are truly a reflection of the positive direction our Wyoming business and workers are going in spite of some tough economic times."
This year's winner of the Innovation in the Workplace Award was Groathouse Construction, Inc. of Cody, Wyoming. This award recognizes an employer that is committed to investing in the development and well-being of their employees and Wyoming's workforce Employers should demonstrate practices that improve the workplace such as employee retention best practices, employee training, career development, work-life balance policies, encouraging diversity in the workplace including generational diversity, provides market competitive wages and benefits and addressing child care and workforce housing needs.
The executive team of Groathouse Construction, Inc. is committed to providing a work-life balance for their employees. They understand that the company is only as good as the employees they keep and they promote and foster a healthy and generous working environment for their entire team.
The Workforce Partnership Award was awarded to the Town of Meeteetse Youth Employment Program. This award recognizes a project that has demonstrated a unique collaboration between businesses and community organizations that include, but are not limited to, the workforce system, economic development and education that results in addressing a workforce issue.
The initial purpose of the Town of Meeteetse Youth Employment Program was to provide jobs and a work experience to the youth of the community who had only one option at the time, to drive 32 miles north to Cody for work. The focus of the project is afford the kids in Meeteetse the opportunity to work and make money while also play a vital role in the small community in which they reside.
The winner of the Outstanding Individual Performance Award was Sandy Barton of Fremont County BOCES. The award recognized Barton as an individual who has made significant contributions to the workforce development for her vital role in bringing the new Wind River Job Corps Center to Wyoming. Her networking was extensive working with County, Tribal and local Cities and Towns, Colleges and Workforce Services initially which later extended into communication with State officials, the Governors office, Department of Labor, and several of Wyomings Congressional Delegation in Washington D.C. She spent numerous hours completing a proposal partially housed in a 6-inch thick three ring binder accompanied by visual aids, engineers models, cds and other supporting materials rich in research and preparation which clearly was instrumental in securing the center.
The 2009 winner for Outstanding Investment in Older Workers was Brake Supply Co, Inc. of Casper, Wyoming. Brake Supply has taken initiative to hire older workers and help keep them in Wyomings workforce. By offering flexible schedules along with other great benefits, Brake Supply has become a leading example of how employers can benefit from hiring older workers.
In an effort to recognize the contributions that both small and large businesses make towards the Young Workforce in Wyoming, two businesses were recognized for their contributions to younger workers. The Outstanding Investment in Young Workers Small Business was awarded to Sherry Johnson, owner of Cinemajik Movie Theatre in Evanston, Wyoming and the Outstanding Investment in Young Workers Large Business was awarded to Taco Johns International.
Sherry Johnson lives for her family of younger workers. She provides opportunities for young workers to grow and succeed in a family environment, often helping them persevere through rough family lives. She promotes creativity and individuality in the workplace with art walls and tributes to her military kids and accepts nothing less than a holistic attitude of acceptance of each other at the Theatre. Sherry excels at looking after her workforce not only by providing them an income but by extending herself offering rides to and from work and school and most off all providing a safe place to call home.
Taco Johns International tailors much of their recruitment efforts on the opinions of the younger workers they hire. They value and listen to the needs by letting them choose their own uniforms that they feel most comfortable in helping them through school while also encouraging them to advance in their company. Offering flexible work schedules around school and other obligations helps create a great environment for not only the success of their workers but also for their families.
For more information, about these award winners or to learn more about the Governors Summit on Workforce Solutions, please visit wyowdc.org.
Listen to the audio from Joan Evans, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Director.
