The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Bill Nickum, Workforce Solutions board member, April Keith, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas HR manager, and Sue Daniels, board chair at the 2015 Awards Recognition Luncheon, Tuesday, March 1.

Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas hosted an “Awards of Excellence” luncheon on Tuesday, March 1 to recognize local employers, businesses, job seekers, partners and special event sponsors whose collaboration with the workforce system has been supportive and instrumental in the realization of the Workforce Board’s vision of “a world-class workforce for Southeast Texas”.

“Our employers are a critical link to the economic success we’ve experienced in Southeast Texas this past year,” stated Marilyn Smith, Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas executive director. “Unemployment rates for 2015 reflect job creation and positive hiring trends for our area. Working in tandem with our Board members, education leaders, economic development, industry and community representatives has provided many opportunities for individuals seeking to work and earn livable wages. We want to show our appreciation to them."

Those recognized at the luncheon include Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Beaumont as “Local Employer of Excellence,” At Home Senior Care, Mid-America Contractors and The Stark Foundation as “STAR Employers,” Desirea Myers as “STAR Job Seeker of the Year,” The Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation as “Business Partner of the Year,” Creative Learning Centers as “Child Care Provider of the Year,” as well as Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas – Centers and ChildCareGroup as “Contractors of the Year.”

Companies recognized as “STAR Sponsors of the year include Platinum Sponsors Industries of Southeast Texas (ISET) and International Safety Training Council (ISTC), Gold Sponsor FivePoint Credit Union, and Silver Sponsors Entergy Texas, Golden Triangle Business Roundtable, IBEW Local #479, Lamar Institute of Technology and Triple S Industrial Corporation.

STAR Partners of the Year include Region 5 Education Service Center, Southeast Texas Human Resource Association (SETHRA), Junior Achievement of the Golden Triangle, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP/SETRPC), Beaumont ISD – Career & Technology Education, Plumbers Local Union #68 and the Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (DARS).

The following Southeast Texas Workforce Development Board members were also recognized for their service and dedication to the employers, businesses and job seekers of Southeast Texas through their tenure on the Workforce board: Bill Nickum, Carey Georgas and Dr. J. Michael Shahan for 20 years of service and tenured members Jamie Hogge, Danny Prosperie, Stephanie Semien, Anna Tanton, Dr. Paul Szuch, Luan Mai and Lorenzo Fitch.

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 in order 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.