Linetec Honored by Governor as Exemplary Employer

Linetec of Wausau, Wis., announced recently that Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle honored the company as an exemplary employer committed to the principles of diversity in the workplace. The State of Wisconsin's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the NorthCentral Technical College (NTC) nominated the architectural metals finishing company for its employment outreach and training program with those who are deaf.

Linetec's president Rick Marshall accepted the award in late May at the 2006 Governor's Workforce Development Conference.

"We are delighted to be selected as a winning exemplary employer. Not only are we proud to recognize the contributions of our company and its diverse staff, but also glad that this helps raise awareness of the resources offered by DVR and NTC to business like ours who seek the most-qualified employees within our community and our industry," Marshall said.

Currently, Linetec employs five full-time people who are deaf. During the hiring process and the first 90 days of employment, NTC's job placement coordinator and interpreter Karen Akey provides on-site assistance.

"Being deaf comes with many challenges in life especially when seeking employment," she said and praised Linetec's "sincere effort in looking beyond a person's disability and seeking out qualified individuals that can be productive and give back to their company." With Akey's assistance, Timmy Lowe, Jr. learned about Linetec's employment opportunities and joined the company in November 2005. He notes, "I was able to attend meetings with an interpreter provided for me and I learned a lot about this company. The employees are very friendly to me and very helpful. They try their best to meet my needs.

I really enjoy working here." Akey echoes Lowe's experience, "It's been an amazing experience to work with Linetec. I am so impressed by Rick's personal involvement, their HR team's orientation process, and their entire company's interest in understanding deafness and deaf culture. It's been absolutely wonderful."