The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) has announced the recipients of their statewide 2022 Workforce Excellence Awards. Six recipients have been awarded in their respective population categories. A total of seventeen nominees overall were recognized for their workforce projects.

The Workforce Excellence Award program recognizes exceptional contributions by a Texas community or region that has implemented successful workforce initiatives. Members of the TEDC’s Workforce Development Committee reviewed and scored the applications from the nominees based on five criteria: innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measured objectives, and secondary benefits.

The 2022 Workforce Excellence Award recipients are:
Population (Less than 15,000): Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation
Population (15,001 to 40,000): Kerr Economic Development Corporation
Population (40,001 to 100,000): Pflugerville Community Development Corporation
Population (100,001 to 250,000): Amarillo Economic Development Corporation
Population (250,001 and Above): Lubbock Economic Development Alliance and South Plains College
Regional: Workforce Solutions Borderplex

“Our TEDC’s Workforce Excellence Award is one of the ways in which our organization honors the outstanding work done by our communities and regions, their leaders, and their economic development professionals in the area of workforce development,” noted Carlton Schwab, President/CEO of the TEDC.

Last year, the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was recognized for the Take Root In Amarillo initiative. This year, the Amarillo EDC is recognized for the Uncover Amarillo: Intern Experience program. The program gathers college interns from area employers for three to four social events in order to meet other interns outside of their organization, explore different parts of the city, and connect with Elevate Amarillo young leaders.

“This is our second year to be recognized with this prestigious award. It shows how both the Amarillo EDC and our community are dedicated to strategically engaging our current and future workforce,” said Kevin Carter, President & CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation. 

“Engaging our future workforce is critical to the success of our community,” Sabrina Meck Perez, Director of Workforce Attraction & Retention of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, said. “This program has been extremely rewarding to see young talent's perspectives transform for our area. The interns start to see this city as a place where they can build their careers and their personal lives.” 

Since its pilot launch in 2019, the Uncover Amarillo: Intern Experience has had a total of 102 interns from 31 companies participate and is currently in progress with its third year open to the public hosting 77 interns from 15 local organizations.