Special to The Leader

BEAUMONT – Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas received the Employer Award of Excellence for Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas at the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) 19th Annual Texas Workforce Conference held Nov. 18-20 in Dallas. The Employer Award of Excellence honors employers that are actively involved with their local workforce board and have made a positive impact on employers, workers and the community. Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas was also recognized for outstanding board performance.

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas has more than 1,700 employees providing patient care in Beaumont since 1949. They are the only facility that provides inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency programs between Houston and New Orleans. The facility provides inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency programs at locations from Houston to New Orleans.

To meet the training needs for its expanding workforce, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas implemented an on-the-job training (OJT) for new employees. OJT enables the hospital to hire individuals with basic entry-level skills for psychiatric patient care. The comprehensive training program improved health care technician skills, creating numerous career advancement opportunities within the health care field. The program also provided several underemployed individuals the opportunity to gain employment with the hospital. Once employed, the OJT program provided a pathway to upgrade their skills and retain employment.

“Each year, we recognize exceptional Texas employers for their investments in our state and share their achievements reached through strong workforce partnerships with local workforce boards and other stakeholders,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “It is our hope that these success stories may serve to inspire new achievements next year. I commend and thank these outstanding employers and workforce professionals for their leadership and contributions to their region.”

In recognition of outstanding board performance, Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas received two $30,000 Performance Incentive awards for Claimant Reemployment and Workforce Investment Act Youth Preparedness. TWC Performance Incentive awards recognize boards that display increased accountability and improved efficiencies. Monetary awards for achievement in these categories will be used to enhance workforce service programs during the next year.

The Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas Board is a business-led group of volunteers that evaluates and oversees the delivery of all workforce training and employment services in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange Counties. The board’s overall mission is to identify opportunities and create partnerships that effectively link employers and job seekers in order to improve the economic future of the area. Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas brings together a myriad of programs for easy access for employers and job seekers.