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Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

ETA Press Release: Employment Agencies in Nevada and New York to Receive National Recognition For Customer Service Programs [09/04/1996]

For more information call: (202) 219-6871

Employment Security agencies in Nevada and New York will receive national recognition for programs that promote excellence in customer service. The awards, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies (ICESA), include grants of $25,000 each to further the success of the two programs.

"These awards underscore our commitment to make government services as responsive as possible to the needs of both job-seekers and employers," said Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich. "These awards add public recognition to the private pride and satisfaction these agencies must feel from their efforts to respond to ever-changing customer needs."

The awards will be presented by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John Robinson at ICESA's 60th annual conference in Charleston, S.C. Nevada will be recognized for "Collaboration for Improved Customer Service," and New York will be cited for "Innovation in Customer Service."

The United States Employment Service, part of the Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration, helps to establish and maintain a system of local public employment offices in the states and territories. These local offices cooperate nationally to serve job seekers and employers.

Besides recognizing outstanding efforts by state employment security agencies to respond to critical workforce issues, the awards program is a forum for identifying state and local initiatives upon which to model and develop national programs.

Descriptions of the winning programs are attached.

Collaboration for Improved Customer Service: The Pyramid Prize

The Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation will receive this award for its "Screw Machine Training Program." A screw machine is a type of lathe which produces metal parts with precise dimensions and tolerances. The Nevada program provides specialized intensive training of operators and placement with local industry in career tracks with long-term growth potential. The program is being recognized for its success at bringing together representatives of state and federal government, post-secondary education and private industry to eliminate duplication of efforts and to promote collaboration toward achieving shared goals.

Innovation in Customer Service: The Architect of Change Award

This award goes to the New York Department of Labor for its "Taking Care of Business: The Self-Improvement Program." This innovative program provides individuals with the opportunity to start a business while collecting their full unemployment insurance benefits. The agency was instrumental in convincing the New York State legislators to amend the state's unemployment insurance laws to allow dislocated workers who are not likely to return to their former jobs the option of starting a business. Since this program was initiated, 20 states have contacted the agency for information and assistance in developing their own legislation and program plans.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.