For more information, contact Elaine Simmons, 620-792-9214, simmonse@bartonccc.edu

June 15, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes
dawesm@bartonccc.edu

Barton Community College is highlighting the value of its workforce partners by creating an award that will honor one business or organization every six months. The “Workforce Partnership in Education” award was established with the first award going to local workforce giant CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc. (A subsequent story about CPI winning the award will follow this initial news release.)

“Those of us in Workforce Training and Community Education could not do our jobs any given day if it wasn’t for partnerships,” said dean of Workforce Training and Community Education Elaine Simmons. “It is absolutely invigorating to know that we are doing this recognition of people in this area who have spent years partnering with Barton, such as CPI.”

Award recipients are selected by a panel of Barton administrators from nominations submitted by WTCE staff. Criteria for selection cover a wide swath of partnership involvement and/or contributions to programs and industries.

The concept of a partnership award is an idea borrowed from another college, said Barton executive director of Institutional Advancement Darnell Holopirek. “When something works well somewhere else, you try it,” she explained. Holopirek added that a common misconception is that supporting Barton only involves financial giving. But there are other ways to establish support with the College, she said.

“In working with Elaine and her group, I’ve realized over the years, it’s not always about money,” said Holopirek. “It’s encouragement and working together for a common goal to see the success of our students. It’s not just one thing that makes you a supporter of Barton Community College. Partnership takes a lot of individuals and a lot of businesses.”

Though Barton’s first award recipient is the area’s largest private employer, future winners won’t necessarily be large businesses, explained Simmons.

“I want the folks to understand there are so many ways to be a partner,” she said. … “CPI is a true engine to the economic success of this area with its organization and the employment of the people and all they contribute to the community and to the institution. At the same time, partnership isn’t always about size. We have small businesses and individuals representing entities across our service area who make a difference.”

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Cougar Contributors - Erika Brining, CPI Human Resources director holds the “Workforce Partnership in Education” award during a spring luncheon hosted by Barton Community College to recognized CPI as the first recipient of the semiannual award. Pictured left to right are Elaine Simmons; Jane Howard, executive director of Business Technology; Brining; Margaret Dirks, CPI Employee Relations director; and Darnell Holopirek.

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Watch Video Below: Darnell Holopirek and Elaine Simmons discuss the concept for creating the "Workforce Partnership in Education" award and talk about CPI Qualified Plan Consultants earning distinction as the first award recipient.

 

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Recipients of the semiannual award will be invited to a special luncheon where their award will be presented. They will also attend a special dinner with College and BCC Foundation Board members toward the end of the year. The next “Workforce Partnership in Education” award will be given in the fall. The special dinner to recognize CPI and the fall winner is scheduled for November.

“This is going to be fun for us,” said Holopirek. …“We hope it shows the community leaders that we appreciate what they do for us on a daily basis.”