Texas Workforce Development
Austin, TX

Abilene, TX, December 3, 2008:  Lauren Engineers & Constructors was chosen by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as the 2008 Current Workforce Award Recipient, which acknowledges Lauren’s dedication to workforce development in the state of Texas. 

Workforce Solution of West Texas, one of 28 workforce districts statewide, nominated Lauren for this award because of Lauren’s unique approach to training in West Texas.  Specifically, Lauren’s Welder Training Program helped to secure this award.  Competing against all other districts in the state, Lauren’s welder training program - which has achieved national recognition through publications such as The American Welding Journal – helped Lauren stand out due to its one-of-a-kind approach to fast-track training for welders. 

The award was received on Wednesday, December 3rd, at the Texas Workforce Commission’s Annual Conference in Austin, TX. 

From the conference brochure, below is a description of Lauren's outstanding achievements which helped to secure this award.

Lauren Engineers and Constructors Inc. in Abilene, an international design/build contractor, has expanded operations, increased production, and secured larger, more lucrative contracts by customizing workers’ skills. The company serves the power, chemical, and refining industries and is in its third year of a successful partnership with Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas (West Central Texas) on an in-house training program to address the demand for welders. Training was made possible this past year through a $26,325 grant from West Central Texas’ Workforce Investment Fund, designed specifically to provide training for small and medium businesses. The company, which started in 1984 and now employs over 1000, helped develop the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) pilot program that graduated the first class of MSSC-certified manufacturing workers in the nation. This community-oriented company has provided information on high-wage careers to more than 800 local high school students and has sponsored events for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

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The Lauren Corporation is a leader in many diversified markets such as Alternative Energy, Polymers, Power, Pulp & Paper, Refining, Special Metals and Material Handling.  With offices throughout the US and Canada, Lauren provides Engineering, Procurement and Construction services to industrial customers worldwide. For more information about Lauren, please visit us online at www.laurenec.com.