Press Release

For Immediate Release:

Lifetrack Resources Hits 100% Job Placement in Green Jobs Partnership

Lifetrack Resources’ graduates find employment upon completion of the RENEW project.

By Kimberly Mills

During 2010-2011 Lifetrack Resources has provided green-work skills training and job placement for 41 individuals through the Renewable Energy Network Empowering Workers (RENEW) Project.

A recent success of the RENEW project is the Basic Green Facilities Services Training which Lifetrack Resources developed through a strong partnership with Dunwoody College of Technology. The three-month training utilized modern environmentally friendly principles in Professional Cleaning, Green Workplace & Blueprint Reading, and Certified Pool Operator.   One hundred percent of the participants completing the program were placed into employment in their field within a month of completing the training making $8.25 to $10.60 hourly. Mariam Shehata, Lifetrack Resources Green Jobs Training Specialist said, “I am thrilled with the training and excited that all of our graduates were able to quickly find employment! “  

The training was made possible from federal funding awarded to the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training Program in partnership with the Ramsey county Workforce Solutions.  These funds were used by many businesses and educational institutions in the Twin Cities. This project focused on providing sustainable pathways out of poverty for some of the cities most disadvantaged citizens, while ensuring that area businesses have access to a well-trained workforce that is prepared to carry out the work of greening the local economy.

About Lifetrack Resources:
Lifetrack Resources is a non-profit human services organization with a mission to work together to develop the strengths within children, families and adults facing the greatest life challenges so that all families and individuals are strong, healthy and productive members of the community. Lifetrack has served the Twin Cities community for more than 60 years; annually helping people create a better life through our focus on Child & Family Healthy Development and Employments & Economic Opportunity. To learn more about Lifetrack Resources, visit LifetrackResources.org or call 651-227-8471.

About Dunwoody College of Technology:
Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, nonprofit, endowed institution of higher education that has educated and trained more than 250,000 men and women for meaningful and rewarding technical careers. It is the only institution of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Dunwoody is committed to excellence in education and works to serve those preparing for and working in business and industry. Visit www.Dunwoody.edu/ or call 612-374-5800 for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Kimberly Mills

Communications & Community Relations Director

Lifetrack Resources

651.265.2327

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Lifetrack Resources
Dunwoody College of Technology
To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 307057

Packaging Plant Trains Employees through a Department of Labor Federal Grant - RENEW Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:	Kimberly Mills
	Communications Director
	Lifetrack Resources
	Phone: (651) 265-2327
	E-Mail: KimberlyM@LifetrackResources.org
	Greg Bauman
	Business Development Specialist
	Innovative Packaging Solutions
	Phone: (612) 760-9393
	E-Mail: GregB@ChooseIPS.org

Innovative Packaging Solutions and Dunwoody College Provides Additional Job Training

Saint Paul, MN – Innovative Packaging Solutions (IPS) teamed up with Dunwoody College of Technology and Mariam Shehata, Lifetrack Resources Green Jobs Training Specialist, to develop training for IPS staff. The course took place over four weeks on Fridays in March 2011. Subjects covered Basic Manufacturing Safety, Basic Electronics, Introduction to Lean Green, and Creative Job Thinking. Over ten individuals participated in the class, five of whom were from Innovative Packaging Solutions. Most participants were referred from Lifetrack’s immigrant and refugee employment services. Lifetrack Resources also provided two translators for the class that included Hmong and Somalia translations.

Terry Choate, IPS Plant Manager said, “I noticed that after the training, employees were empowering themselves to make innovative changes in their work methods.” This ultimately creates higher productivity and less down time.

Mohamed Maye, Assistant Production Supervisor commented, “The training on workplace organization and cleanliness was incredibly valuable for all participants. A clean workplace is the most important part of workplace safety.” All the students received certificates of completion at the end of the sessions which can be added to their resume.    Joey White, Dunwoody College Instructor, led the three sessions twenty six hour course.

This training was funded through a $4 million federal grant awarded to the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training Program, in partnership with Ramsey County Workforce Solutions. RENEW - Renewable Energy Network Empowering Workers – builds capacity for green enterprise in the Twin Cities by strategically connecting businesses with a trained workforce.  The program prepares jobseekers for green careers, aligning job training with sustainable economic development. RENEW funding is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

About Innovative Packaging Solutions:
Innovative Packaging Solutions, a division of Lifetrack Resources, is a nonprofit that provides efficient packaging and assembly services for businesses while providing work adjustment and work transition services for persons with little work experience. To learn more about IPS, visit InnovativePackagingSolutions.org or call 651-290-0567.

About Lifetrack Resources:
Lifetrack Resources is a non-profit human services organization with a mission to work together to develop the strengths within children, families and adults facing the greatest life challenges so that all families and individuals are strong, healthy and productive members of the community. Lifetrack has served the Twin Cities community for more than 60 years; annually helping people create a better life through our focus on Child & Family Healthy Development and Employments & Economic Opportunity. To learn more about Lifetrack Resources, visit LifetrackResources.org or call 651-227-8471.

About Dunwoody College of Technology:
Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, nonprofit, endowed institution of higher education that has educated and trained more than 250,000 men and women for meaningful and rewarding technical careers. It is the only institution of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Dunwoody is committed to excellence in education and works to serve those preparing for and working in business and industry. Visit Dunwoody.edu or call 612-374-5800 for more information.