Workforce Solutions for South Texas Recognized Employers for Their Support

LAREDO, Texas — (December 2018) — Workforce Solutions for South Texas hosted their Annual Employer Awards Banquet Thursday morning, which honored employers that have participated and supported a diversity of programs and events during the year.

These collaborations make possible the preparation and employment of the local labor force.

“Our number one priority is to ensure that our local employers have a trained and skilled workforce. We are extremely grateful for the partnership and support our employers provide us in helping them find and hire skilled, trained, and productive employees,” said Rogelio Trevino, Executive Director for the Workforce Solutions for South Texas.

The following businesses were honored for their outstanding service:

• Employer of the Year: ALFA (Association of Logistics & Forwarding Agents, Inc.)
• Employer of Excellence Award: Jett Bowl North / Pla-Mor Entertainment Center
• Collaboration Award: United South High School Mobile Unit
• Pacesetter Award: Convergys/Concentrix
• Newcomer of the Year: DD’s Discount
• Service to Veterans: Mastar Supply Chain & Logistics
• Service to Rural Community: Zapata County Tax Office
• South Texas HireAbility: SERCO of Texas

“The employers we work with throughout the year are always receptive to our hiring events and annual projects; this is the time we take to appreciate them for everything they do for our community,” said Andrea De La Garza, Project Director. “We look forward to an even better year this 2019 so we can place Laredo on the map of employment!”

Guests who attended the banquet at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Laredo had a chance to hear the success stories from the different companies who were recognized, and the reason why they were selected.

The Employer of the Year Award is presented to a business that has a firm commitment to excellence in its engagement with Workforce Solutions for South Texas and the local community.

The Employer of Excellence Award is presented to one private-sector employer whose efforts and initiative, in the relationship with the Workforce Solutions for South Texas, had a positive effect on the employer, workers, and the community.

The Collaboration Award is presented to a business that demonstrates initiative through collective efforts and has successfully teamed up with Workforce Solutions for South Texas to benefit local job seekers.

The Pacesetter Award is presented to a business or organization that provides unique ideas that result in innovative program delivery services.

The Service to Veterans Award is presented to a business that demonstrates continuous efforts to expand employment opportunities for veterans.

The South Texas HireAbility is presented to a business that demonstrates its efforts to hire people with disabilities while highlighting contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce.

The Service to Rural Community Award is presented to an organization whose innovation helps the community living in the rural area.

“As we close out this very successful year we are proud to recognize those businesses and partners that excelled in helping employ our local labor force. Workforce Solutions for South Texas is committed to helping all of our regional employers find and hire the employees that will best meet their company’s needs,” Trevino said. “We are excited to continue to help our regional businesses grow and remain productive and competitive. This year we have seen historically low unemployment rates in our area we will continue to partner with our educational institutions to train and prepare our labor force to meet the needs of the business.”

Lupita R. Canales, Board Chair for the Workforce Solutions for South Texas, along with Treviño, recognized and handed out the awards to the selected employers.

For the first time, the Workforce Solutions for South Texas awarded guests who participated in the “Friday with Friends on Facebook Live” program. The friendly competition saw 38 guests reading a job posting actively in the workintexas.com website. According to the votes received on Facebook, the first three places were for Rogelio Trevino; officers Noemi Cienfuegos and Tycola Moses-Himes; and Viky Garcia.

The Keynote Speakers were Roberto Delgado, who invited employers to hired people with disabilities, and Naomi Duran Mercado from Productos Doña Blanca, an employer with more than 100 years operating, preparing and packaging their “gourmet dried beef” in the United States.