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WORKFORCE OKLAHOMA HONORS LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES AT STATE CAPITOL

Event Celebrates Oklahoma's Workforce Development System

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - State leaders recently celebrated the success of everyday Oklahomans and the Oklahoma workforce system at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. The 2008 Workforce Oklahoma Alumni Celebration honored twenty-three alumni as well as twelve business leaders from across the State.  The 2008 Alumni honorees from the Eastern Workforce Investment Area which consists of Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties were Jason George of Muskogee and Shelby Noel of Sallisaw. Through Oklahoma's workforce development system these individuals have been able to find employment, training and assistance to create a better life for themselves and their families.

Patty Wallace (R), Value Stream Manager, of American Woodmark was honored as the Business Leader of the Year from the Eastern Workforce Investment Area. This award is presented in recognition for contributions to the local workforce system. Ms Wallace also serves as 1^st Vice-Chairman of the Eastern Workforce Investment Board. The hard work of individuals such as Ms. Wallace constantly improves the workforce development system and helps to address local issues that have a dramatic effect on local economies.  Each honoree received a commendation from Governor Brad Henry.  In addition, each Eastern honoree received a commendation from Congressman Dan Boren.

 

Featured speakers and presenters were: Lt. Governor Jari Askins; Joe Juarez, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor; and Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Workforce Development, Norma Noble.  The event was sponsored by the Workforce Oklahoma Employment & Training Association (WOETA) and the Oklahoma Association for Workforce Investment Boards (OAWIB).

 

Workforce Oklahoma is Oklahoma's workforce development system that is mandated and organized by the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). Workforce Oklahoma is not simply help for finding jobs or employees; it is a partnership of WIBs, state agencies, service providers, and other organizations. This customer-focused, demand driven, comprehensive workforce system helps Oklahomans access the tools they need to manage their careers through information and high quality services as well as helps Oklahoma companies find skilled workers. 

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                 Workforce Oklahoma Centennial                 Celebration of Excellence

                                                                                                                                                                     Event Celebrates the Success of Oklahoma's Workforce Development System

The event was held in the House of Representatives Chambers at the State Capitol building on Thursday May 31, 2007, and featured distinguished speakers such as Norma Noble, Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Workforce Development; Natalie Shirley, Secretary of Commerce and Tourism; and Joe Juarez, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor. Nanette Robertson, President-elect of the Workforce Oklahoma Employment & Training Association (WOETA) was the Master of Ceremonies. Selected Workforce Oklahoma alumni also addressed the attendees.

The 2007 Alumni honorees from the Eastern Workforce Investment Area were Shelley Neeley of Stilwell, and Rebecca Haney of Muldrow. Through Oklahoma's workforce development system these individuals have been able to find employment, training and assistance to create a better life for themselves and those with whom they share their lives. These individuals were celebrated for the positive changes they have made with a hand up from Workforce Oklahoma and the Oklahoma workforce development system.

 Phyllis Spriggs, Human Resources Director, of the Muskogee Regional Medical Center was honored as the Business Leader of the Year from the Eastern Workforce Investment Area. This award was presented in recognition for contributions to the local workforce system. The hard work of individuals such as Mrs. Spriggs constantly improves the workforce development system and helps to address local issues that have a dramatic effect on local economies.

                           Pictured L to R:  Phyllis Spriggs, Rebecca Haney, Shelley Neeley

Each honoree received a commendation from Governor Brad Henry, a citation from Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley, and an Oklahoma Centennial medallion.  In addition, each Eastern honoree received a certificate from Congressman Dan Boren and a Workforce basket from the Eastern Workforce Investment Board.

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 was created to develop employment and training programs for individuals facing serious barriers to employment. This customer-focused, comprehensive workforce system helps Americans access the tools they need to manage their careers through information and high quality services as well as helps U.S. companies find skilled workers.

Workforce Oklahoma is Oklahoma's workforce development system that is mandated and organized by the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Workforce Oklahoma is not simply help for finding jobs or employees; it is a partnership of state agencies, such as the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the Department of Human Services, local service providers, and local organizations. Based on the one-stop concept, the goal is to provide all of the workforce services that one could need under one roof, giving the public a single point of contact, making assistance easier to find and allowing partners to better serve customers. The result is that Workforce Oklahoma is much more than simply the sum of its parts. 

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WORKFORCE OKLAHOMA HONORS LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES AT STATE CAPITOL

Event Celebrates Oklahoma's Workforce Development System

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Friday, December 2, 2005, state leaders will celebrate the success of everyday Oklahomans and the Oklahoma workforce system at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. The 2005 Workforce Oklahoma Alumni Celebration, which is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the House of Representatives chamber, will recognize individuals from across the state whose hard work and sacrifice, along with a helping hand from the state workforce system, led to better lives for themselves and their loved ones. State business leaders who have made invaluable contributions to Workforce Oklahoma will also be recognized.

The event will feature speakers such as Kathryn L. Taylor, Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, and Joe Juarez, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor. Workforce Oklahoma honorees will receive awards and share individual stories of success and triumph. A reception for the public will follow in the fourth floor rotunda.

Honorees from the Eastern Workforce Investment Area are Phaedra Klassen of Muskogee and Larry S. McDonald also of Muskogee. Through Workforce Oklahoma, these individuals have gained employment, training and assistance to create a better life for themselves. They are being celebrated for the positive changes they have made with a "hand up" from Workforce Oklahoma.

In addition, Debbie Knoke, Assistant Administrator of Sequoyah Memorial Hospital in Sallisaw, will be honored as Business Leader of the Year from the Eastern Workforce Investment Area. This award is in recognition for contributions to the local workforce system above and beyond the call of duty.