The Learning & Development Award is presented to a business in southwestern Pennsylvania that achieves success by creating and implementing innovative human resource strategies that enhance knowledge creation and knowledge transfer.

"Congratulations to all of the winning companies," said F. Michael Langley, Chief Executive Officer, Allegheny Conference on Community Development. "They realize that investing in employees creates valued individuals, productive workers, and measurable positive results."

PIC was honored for their response to the challenge of adapting to new competition generated from the change in federal law that introduced the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 to reform job training programs. This change meant that PIC would need to be proactive in obtaining the best training and professional development for its employees. PIC responded by enrolling their workforce development professionals in a program that would enable each employee to earn a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential. This credential helps employees develop their skills and obtain international recognition as career development professionals, and aids PIC in its quest to remain competitive and increase credibility as a provider of WIA services. After obtaining the credential, employees must maintain it by completing 75 hours of continuing education every five years.

When notified of the award, PIC President Tim Yurcisin responded by saying "We are very excited to win this award. We are pleased with the positive results that we have received due to the GCDF credential that our current employees possess. It is a policy and provision of employment with PIC that any permanent, full-time employee providing career advice to the individuals it serves must obtain the GCDF credential within one year of hire. Actually, the State of Pennsylvania is currently gathering data in order to establish a state-wide certification requirement for CareerLink staff and has asked us to present them information regarding our GCDF credential program."

The Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its Affiliates - Pittsburgh Regional Alliance; Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce; and Pennsylvania Economy League-Western Division - are working in collaboration to stimulate growth in southwestern Pennsylvania's economy and improve its quality of life. For more information on the awards, view their website, http://www.peopledomatter.com.