AKRON, Ohio - July 30, 2001 - Roadway Express Inc. was recognized by the National Job Corps Association (NJCA) as the recipient of the association's "Alpha Award" in the Employer Category at the 6th annual Alpha Award ceremonies on July 18, in Washington, D.C. On behalf of Roadway, David Shiner, Manager of Human Resource Planning; Dick Deardorff, Vice President, Maintenance and Corporate Services; Ted Scott, Executive Director of Government Relations; and Darrell Stumbo, Senior Performance Consultant of Organizational Development and Human Resource Planning, were present to accept the award.
The Alpha Awards, named for the brightest star in a constellation, commemorate employers, communities and individuals who have partnered with Job Corps nationally and locally to strengthen its services to thousands of Job Corps students. These businesses, organizations and people contribute to the overwhelming success Job Corps prides itself on – more than 1.9 million over a 36-year period.
Upon accepting the award, Shiner said, "Our graduates are working full time as over-the-road drivers. They have driven a tractor-trailer from coast to coast....but more importantly, they have established homes. Each one has an apartment, and a car, and a plan for the future. They have established relationships with their fellow employees. The pride they show in their work is reflected in their dependability and responsibility to the job. They have spotless attendance records, have never missed a work call, and have demonstrated safe driving skills. And that's something we can all be proud of."
"The benefits for Roadway reach beyond having the best-trained drivers entering our workforce. Every employee that has come in contact with the Job Corps program has become engaged, not only in the success of the students, but in the greater goal of reaching out to American youth and recognizing the untapped potential that lies within so many young people. Our employees have the opportunity and the privilege of sharing their professional knowledge and skills with students who are eager to learn. And in that situation, everyone learns and everyone benefits."
Roadway and Job Corps have partnered to develop an advanced tractor-trailer driver training program for Job Corps students. Roadway is committed to the education and good health of children, being a good corporate neighbor and supporting various community programs. There are currently four long haul drivers employed at Roadway facilities that graduated from the school-to-work program.
Roadway is expanding its efforts to offer new opportunities to students by partnering with Job Corps to train entry-level mechanics. Following graduation, job placement assistance will be provided for and positions at Roadway will be an option.
Established by law as part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the Job Corps program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Job Corps is the nation's largest residential education and training program for economically disadvantaged youth, ages 16 to 24, providing educational, vocational and social skills.
