CCBC honored for efforts in workforce development

The Baltimore County Workforce Development Council and the Office of Employment and Training (OET) honored CCBC and six of its students during its Ninth Annual Awards for Excellence Breakfast on Oct. 29.

Annually, the Baltimore County Workforce Development Council recognizes individuals who have worked hard to achieve their employment goals, business partners that promote the importance of the skilled workforce, and educational institutions that demonstrate outstanding achievements and a commitment to partnerships in economic and workforce development. This is the fifth year that CCBC has received such an award.

Of the 11 individuals honored at the event, six attended CCBC, with a seventh planning to enroll next semester. Joyce Blair, Jan Cooke, Kevin Keppley, Karen Maly, Ashley Meadows and Antonio Stokes were CCBC students who received honors during the ceremony.

The Baltimore County Workforce Development Council provides training through public and private resources to ensure that individuals have the necessary skills to meet the demands of today’s workplace. The Council also assists the business community in recruitment, workplace training and education, and downsizing assistance, thereby linking workforce and economic development resources throughout the county.

CCBC’s division of Continuing Education and Economic Development (CEED) has partnered with Baltimore County Workforce Development Council and OET for more than 20 years. Many of CCBC’s programs associated with this partnership have been recognized both nationally and locally as “Best Practices.”

OET and CCBC’s outreach and partnering efforts in the community are varied and include such activities as helping displaced workers from Bethlehem Steel, hosting “One Stop Shop” seminars for persons seeking employment, and special industry-specific training initiatives. More than 360 OET customers are enrolled in programs offered by CEED. Many of these outreach efforts are quite successful and noted for their impressive outcomes, as demonstrated by an employment rate of 86 percent.