Latest news with #WorkforceDevelopment
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Students in Philly technical education program graduate, join workforce
The Brief The School District of Philadelphia offers a program that graduates seniors into the workforce. The Career and Technical Education program creates career and a jobs pipeline. 200 students are enrolled. FELTONVILLE - It's a big week for area students who are marking a milestone. Thousands of high school seniors are getting their diplomas this week. Many are headed to college, but some have already entered the workforce and are getting a start in the real world. What we know While thousands of Philadelphia high school graduates get ready for a summer down the shore or preparing for college, there are some who are already getting a paycheck. Just two days after high school graduation, Adryanna Day is already at her full-time job as an apprentice mechanic with the City of Philadelphia Department of Fleet Services. "I've always loved motorcycles. A lot of my family are bikers. Especially Harley's," said Day. The 18-year-old from Mt. Airy is now getting paid to help repair motorcycles, including Harley Davidsons. The backstory Her career actually started in 10th grade through the School District of Philadelphia's Career and Technical Education program at Randolph Technical High School. "You have to be determined. You have to want this. You will be tired. You will be sore. There will be days you don't want to come to work, but I love doing what I do," said Day. Along with regular classwork the program gives students intensive hands-on instruction in 48 different career paths, including construction, culinary arts, health technology or, in the case of Fidel Rodriguez, auto body repair. He graduated Wednesday. By Friday, he was busy fixing police cars, ambulances and fire trucks. "It prepares you to go into a field with a trade on hand already," said Rodriguez. He's one of more than 200 CTE students in 10th through 12th grades getting direct pipelines to careers fresh out of high school. "I've always wanted to do something with cars. I wanted to be around cars. And when the opportunity came, I took it" added Rodriguez. Big picture view But landing a job right out of high school doesn't mean students don't go to college. In fact both students say college is still in the plans. "I will be studying at CCP for criminal justice, so eventually I would love to be a homicide detective. Still working with the police, still working with all of this in a way," said Day. For Rodriguez, he's planning to open up his own auto body shop someday. "I would love to go to a four-year college. I am planning to go to CCP as well to get my Associates. But I want to get into the workforce and get that experience early on. Be hands-on. And the paycheck's pretty," said Rodriguez.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cooperative Response Center one of the 'Best Places to Work'
Apr. 11—Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI), in partnership with the Workforce Development Boards of Southeast Minnesota and Winona, unveiled the "Best Places to Work" in Southeast Minnesota. Now in its 15th year, this regional initiative celebrates companies that go above and beyond in cultivating exceptional workplace cultures throughout Southeast Minnesota. After a thorough evaluation process led by national consulting firm Personnel Dynamics, fifteen standout companies earned the distinction of being among the Best Places to Work across our region's eleven counties — Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona. These businesses have made meaningful investments in their people, championed inclusive and engaging work environments, and continue to lead with innovation, purpose, and care. Among those that were honored was Mower County's Cooperative Response Center, Inc, based in Austin. The 2025 Best Places to Work winners are: Small Employer (under 50 employees —City of Byron —Arcadian Bank —Rushford State Bank —Southeast Service Cooperative —Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Mid-Size Employer (50-150 employees) —Cooperative Response Center, Inc. —Custom Alarm —New Age Tree Service —Pace International —People's Energy Cooperative Large Employer (Over 150 employees) —Benike Construction —City of Albert Lea —Gemini, Inc. —Olmsted County —Strongwell Winners of this designation receive more than just recognition — they earn the right to display the "Best Places to Work" logo in their marketing materials, receive a custom event banner to showcase at their workplace, and gain year-long bragging rights across their communities and industries. The award also signals to job seekers that these employers are committed to putting people first. The 2025 winners were celebrated at the annual Workforce Development Forum held April 3 at the Rochester International Event Center.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Workforce Development, Inc. to present Workforce Development Forum
Feb. 25—Workforce Development, Inc., CareerForce, and the Workforce Development Boards of Southeast Minnesota and Winona will be hosting the annual 2025 Workforce Development Forum on Thursday, April 3 at the Rochester International Event Center. This year's event will feature keynote speaker Krista Ryan, a Southeast Minnesota native, dynamic business coach, HR expert, and published author. Ryan's presentation will offer actionable strategies to navigate change, foster belonging, and inspire forward momentum for teams and leaders alike. Drawing on her local roots and national expertise, Krista travels the country delivering impactful talks on leadership, change, and collaboration. The event will be held between 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is $35 a person and $250 for a table. To register, visit: To register at The forum will also celebrate and recognize the 2025 Southeast Minnesota Best Places to Work survey winners and host an insightful employer panel, making this a can't-miss event for anyone invested in workforce development. Lunch will be served. Reserve your spot today.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New memory care unit opens in Elgin, fills a growing need
ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — A new memory support unit just opened in Central Texas. This comes as the Alzheimer's Association said the disease is a growing public health crisis across the state. The Elgin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center now has its new unit for those needing that specialized care. 'If we build it, they'll come because there's just no, there's no availability.' Seth Ferguson, Regional Director of Sales and Business Development Regional Director of Sales and Business Development Seth Ferguson said available beds in Central Texas can be hard to come by. 'The company that I work for, which is Wellsential Health, we in the Austin area have four other facilities with units, or what we call an Alzheimer's or locked unit, and they're completely full,' Ferguson said. With more people moving east towards Bastrop County, Ferguson said they decided to expand part of their building. He said they already have a dozen people on their waitlist to move in. He hopes to have them in there within the next month or so. Ferguson said they're looking forward to helping more families. 'We sell peace of mind, and that's what we want them to know,' Ferguson said. 'When they bring their loved one here, and we were able to care for them, that they know when they leave, that we're going to take care of their loved one.' With more available beds comes the need for more health care workers. Through the nonprofit health care training program, Dwyer Workforce Development, Ferguson said they train Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) at the center. He said they currently have 12 CNAs in their class. After getting their license, Ferguson said they'll get to work for the company. Combatting Alzheimer's is also top-of-mind for state officials. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick made it his fifth priority this legislative session. It involves creating the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas. In a press release from last November, he wrote 'this investment will draw leading researchers and companies to Texas and require them to be based in Texas, leading to their further investment in our state.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
