Gov. Tom Wolf presented the award during the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association’s annual conference earlier this month. Geisinger was nominated by the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC) and the Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN).
“Geisinger has long recognized the value of—and embraced—diversity and inclusion,” said Julene Campion, Geisinger’s vice president of human resources. “This includes understanding the social and economic conditions in our communities and how they affect our workforce.”
The award recognizes Geisinger’s ongoing collaboration with the EARN program, which assists low-income individuals who face serious barriers in gaining and maintaining employment. This partnership has resulted in the hiring of seven EARN participants in full-time positions within Geisinger as environmental services technicians, nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses. These positions offer comprehensive benefits and the ability to advance in long-term career pathways.
“Geisinger supports the communities it serves and, most importantly, the people who strengthen its workforce,” Campion said. “Geisinger believes that the EARN program is an essential partner in ensuring a diverse workforce that serves as our foundation for providing culturally competent care.”
Geisinger was also recognized for its efforts to understand and assist with the challenges faced by EARN participants in finding and maintaining employment, including reliable transportation. EARN staff and Geisinger human resources staff work together to identify available positions at Geisinger locations that help alleviate these barriers.
“Geisinger understands the challenges many employees face, like transportation and extensive waitlists for childcare, and have worked with our customers to find jobs near their homes with hours around their family needs,” said Erica Mulberger, executive director of CPWDC. “We are thrilled that Geisinger has been recognized statewide for its commitment to providing opportunities with family-sustaining wages and career growth opportunities.”