Healthcare Center Named 2014 Employer of the Year

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KITTANNING CARE CENTER GROUP PHOTO

Armstrong County Employer of the Year – Kittanning Care Center

Front Row: Jennifer Pompelia, Kelly Ploski, Reva Crusan, Alyssa Vargo, Dawn Kocher-Taylor, Commissioner Dave Battaglia

Back Row: Cliff Reese, Bryan Ploski, Commissioner Bob Bower

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The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. gave an Employer of the Year Award in each county in Armstrong, Butler, and Indiana Counties for employers who have significantly contributed to the workforce development system within the region at its last board meeting of 2014. This award highlights the collaboration of business and workforce investment in the three counties.

The Armstrong County winner is the Kittanning Care Center, located in Kittanning Township.

Kittanning Care Center is a 120-bed Skilled Nursing Center, including a 42-bed Center for the Memory Impaired, and Specialty Care in Wound Management. Built in 1980, the facility underwent a $1 million renovation in 1997 and a second renovation in 2009. Kittanning Care Center employs 140 workers.

Kittanning Care Center is a strong partner with the TCWIB Youth Program. The agency has worked with Career T.R.A.C.K. in regards to youth placement in various departments including nursing, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, and office work. The company has hired several youth through the on-the-job training program. Kittanning Care Center also offers free nurse aide training. Over a hundred students have received certification through this training.

Kittanning Care Center is a strong supporter of the industry partnership program and belongs to the Armstrong County Health Care Consortium. Recently, the company agreed to be part of the leadership of the organization. In addition, Kittanning Care Center utilizes the PA CareerLink by posting job opportunities.

The Indiana County Employer of the Year is H&W Global Industries, Inc. of Blairsville.

H&W Global Industries is an industrial coating services company specializing in metal pretreatment, passivation, anodizing, powder coating, and painting. H&W Global is also a problem-solving company, offering specialized services in painting, plating, finishing, assembly, special packaging and testing procedures. H&W Global provides industrial coating services to a broad range of customers and industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, mining, nuclear and medical. H&W Global employs 31 people.

H&W Global Industries supports several local workforce efforts. H&W Global works extensively with the PA CareerLink by posting job opportunities, utilizing staff to screen possible employees, and participating in the on-the-job training program for dislocated workers. OJT training has become the forefront of the company training process. H&W Global is a vital supporter of the industry partnership program and belongs to the Indiana County Manufacturing Consortium. H&W Global currently serves as the chair of the partnership. H&W Global serves on the Career T.R.A.C.K. Board, the local WIA Title I provider. Finally, H&W Global Industries is actively involved in the Central Allegheny Learning Challenger Center to strengthen the local workforce through education in the STEM fields and to develop the youth pipeline of workers.