Businesses to be Honored for Innovations in Workforce Development

Baltimore, MD - Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr. along with the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board (BWIB) and Baltimore County Workforce Development Council (BCWDC) are honored to congratulate the inaugural recipients of the Baltimore Regional Employer Awards. These awards are being presented on September 17th at Martin’s West to area businesses that exemplify innovative approaches to workforce development.  Winners were selected from nominations received in the following five categories:

• Looking Beyond Barriers and Hiring Smart – Acadia Windows and Doors, Inc. for its work in hiring individuals with developmental and physical disabilities and modifying its workplace to meet the needs of a physically disabled employee that in-turn provided a much safer workplace for all employees.

• Competitive Advantage – Marlin Steel Wire Products invested over a $1million in a robotic system that enabled the company to produce precision baskets for industrial applications and compete in the global marketplace.

• Employee Retention – ARAMARK Healthcare implemented a flexible schedule initiative that allows its hourly employees to better balance their professional and personal commitments.

• Preparing Youth for the 21st Century Workplace – Lockheed Martin MS2 Littoral Ships & Systems conducts a comprehensive educational outreach program, “Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today” that encourages students from elementary through college to consider engineering, math, science and technology careers.

• Innovator – Shire Pharmaceuticals conducted a week long intensive training camp for its entire Owings Mills facility which capitalized on its technical talent that exists, while emphasizing the importance of creating a learning organization driving the advancements in the production of high quality medications.

“It is my honor to help celebrate the important accomplishments of these five vital businesses that appreciably contribute to our regional economy,” said Mayor Sheila Dixon. “This is proof that companies that apply innovative strategies help to build and maintain our dynamic workforce.”

"Today we recognize outstanding businesses for their role in not only keeping our economy strong, but also for their forward-thinking that a talented and skilled workforce crosses county and city lines," said County Executive Jim Smith.  "These five companies are a great example of regionalism that works."