Warwick - The Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island announced this year's Recognition Award winners at its annual meeting, held Tuesday, June 12 at the Crowne Plaza, Warwick. Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri served as keynote speaker for the event.

The RI Dept. of Corrections received the Employer Recognition Award for its use of netWORKri resources to improve employment opportunities and increase client awareness of the one-stop system. Since 1995, the RI Dept. of Corrections has partnered with the DLT to recruit, train and hire officers to staff the state prisons.

Rhode Island Manufacturers Extension Services (R.I.M.E.S.) received the Creative Partnerships award for its extensive work training and placing dislocated, underemployed individuals who have completed their Machine Operates Skills Training Program. Nominated by the netWORKri offices, this award goes to the establishment that partners with a targeted entity in order to address the workforce needs of the community.

The Workforce Partnership of Greater RI Partner Recognition award was presented to Cheryl DaCosta, Biotech Training Initiative Grant Manager at RI Tech Collective, for her outstanding efforts in the bid and procurement process of 47 biotech employee training contracts. The three million dollar grant trained over 700 Rhode Island workers.

The Excellence in Service Award, given to an employee who performs exemplary work that improves effectiveness of the netWORKri system, was awarded to Bill Cummings, a business service specialist at netWORKri. As liaison to the Health Care Partnership Industry, Bill's efforts have helped the industry expand the number of high-skilled workers available to fill numerous positions available in the health care field.

Governor Carcieri personally presented a citation to Richard L. Westlake, CEO of Independence LLC, for his outstanding contributions as a board member to the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island. Westlake, an active WPGRI board member since 2001, is retiring from the board this June.

The Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island provides strategic leadership to meet the current and future human resource needs of Rhode Island's employers and to ensure a well-trained, self-sufficient and adaptable workforce.WPGRI brokers employment and training programs for businesses and workers to access public funding and community support for business and career development. The partnership also offers grant writing assistance, information and resource referrals to businesses and industry groups; facilitates employer participation in federal, state and local workforce development programs; and develops customized recruitment and training opportunities to address employer shortages. The Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island serves all Rhode Island communities with the exception of Providence and Cranston.

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The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training offers a wide array of employment and training services to both the general public and to individuals with unusual barriers to employment. DLT is ready to assist any job seeker, whether the goal is a first job, a better job, or a career change. Rhode Island's workforce is protected through the enforcement of labor laws, prevailing wage rates, and workplace health and safety standards. Temporary income support is available to unemployed, sick, or injured workers and a comprehensive rehabilitation program is available to those injured on the job.

DLT is dedicated to the growth and competitiveness of Rhode Island industry, administering a variety of training grants, tax credits, and apprenticeship programs to help employers. Economic indicators and labor market information are available for long-range planning. The Agency engages in active outreach, helping large and small employers retain their best workers or retrain their existing work force. At no cost to the employer, DLT will also screen job applicants, post job vacancies, and help businesses institute cost-sharing programs that can avert layoffs.

For more information on the innovative programs and services available to all Rhode Islanders at the Department of Labor and Training, please call (401) 462-8000 or visit the web site at www.dlt.ri.gov

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TDD (401) 462-8006