Baltimore City and Baltimore County select winning businesses for innovative workforce development strategies 
Workforce development professionals learn about diverse training opportunities for more thanBaltimore Regional Employer Institute to honor four employers at third annual regional awards breakfast

Baltimore, MD - Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr., along with the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board and Baltimore County Workforce Development Council, are honored to congratulate the recipients of the Third Annual Baltimore Regional Employer Institute Awards. These awards will be presented on November 10th to area businesses that exemplify innovative approaches to workforce development.  The winning businesses were selected from nominations received in the following four categories:

• Creating Success in a Challenged Economy – Sinai Hospital of Baltimore is targeting entry-level workers with the “Freedom to Learn” campaign, which offers these employees free academic preparation and job training opportunities scheduled at convenient locations and times, supported by pay incentives and coaching services.
• Overcoming Barriers to Employment and Retention – Good Samaritan Hospital operates the “1st Span” program – a work-based learning program that combines class work, career coaching, peer mentoring and work-based learning to help low-skilled workers become certified nursing assistants, and progress into higher-paying patient care jobs.
• Competitive Advantage – Genesis HealthCare is working to alleviate the shortage of allied health professionals by offering incumbent workers the chance to build on their skills and advance in the healthcare industry. By offering job readiness training, certified nursingassistant training, on-site certified medication assistant training, and tuition assistance, 
  Genesis is giving its employees the chance to grow professionally.
• Preparing Youth for the 21st Century Workplace – Uptown Press is helping young people realize success in the printing industry. The company works closely with state, regional and local-level Career and Technical Education programs to ensure that students are receiving top-quality professional preparation. Uptown Press leverages resources to overcome unforeseen barriers and works with students and businesses to connect youth with valuable internship opportunities.