Workforce Services honors healthcare industry

Feb. 24, 2007
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon@fredericknewspost.com

   FREDERICK — When Clyde Viands took a job at Alcoa Eastalco, he gave up his dream to work in the medical field. The decision helped support his growing family and paved the way for a comfortable life.
     But when the aluminum manufacturer shut down last year, he was forced to change careers. Frederick County Workforce Services, which matches employees with businesses and provides job training, helped Viands turn the layoff into an opportunity to fulfill his wish.
     He will graduate from Frederick Community College later this year with the qualifications necessary to be a surgical technician.
     Viands is one of two people and a business recognized for their work in the health care industry in December during a workforce development board meeting. Frederick County Workforce Services and the Frederick County Workforce Development Board presented the awards.
     The awards are part of an effort to recognize those who are trying to fill the need for more health care workers in the county, said Laurie Holden, director of Frederick County Workforce Services.
     “We think it's important to celebrate success and these two individuals represent successful workplace development programs,” she said. “They're also further ing the workforce in Frederick County with their efforts.”
     Frederick Memorial Hospital was recognized for using money it was awarded last year to train many of its employees.
     State and federal money was funneled through the Maryland Healthcare Workforce Initiative's Incumbent Worker Train ing program to bulk up a thin field of health care employees in the county.
     The hospital started two employeetraining programs with the grant, both of which have helped workers advance to new positions, get raises and improve job satisfaction.
     Rodney Matheson, director of training and organization development for the hospital, accepted the award.
     “(The program) has enabled FMH to expand its support of nursing career development” he said. “(It's) an excellent partnership between government and business.”
     The grant pays for half the training and must be used to increase wages, create new positions and help employees earn certifications and promotions. The business must pay for the difference.
     Darlene Carver, workforce development board chairwoman, presented certificates to Viands and Slava Sprow for joining the county's health care workforce.
     Sprow worked as a summer intern with the Frederick County Summer Jobs program, run by Frederick County Workforce Services. That prepared him for a job with Homewood Retirement Center working in laundry service.
     Every summer, the agency pays minimum wage to dozens of 14- to 21-year-olds who have difficulty finding employment. About 90 percent of the participants have a disability, but the program also serves students with financial hardships.