(Grapevine, Texas) Management & Training Corporation (MTC) Otero facility in Chaparral, New Mexico received a 2009 Employer of Excellence Award Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the 13th Annual Texas Workforce Commission Conference in Grapevine, Texas.

 MTC was nominated by the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Development Board. The Board worked with MTC to staff the new Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division of the Otero County Prison. The new addition brought more than 300 jobs and created immense economic impact felt beyond county boundaries. Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande formed new partnerships and worked across state lines to maximize the regional impact. A two day job fair took place that helped the company hire 247 of its employees. Positions varied from entry level to management and all included a benefits package. Salaries ranged from $7.50 - $19.00 an hour.

“We are extremely honored to have been nominated for this award,” said MTC Human Resources Manager Victoria Fuentes. “The Otero Facility has been in operation for over six years and during this time we have relied heavily on Workforce Solutions to aid in recruiting quality employees,” she added. “Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande has been a wonderful guide in this partnership, which has allowed us to succeed in maintaining our staffing up to the levels we need. We are very grateful to all those who have helped us and made this award possible: our wardens, our employees, our MTC Corporate Staff, and most importantly, Workforce Solution Upper Rio Grande. We are proud to be associated with them and look forward to a lasting partnership,” Fuentes concluded.

Fuentes and Lead Warden James Frawner flew to Grapevine from Chaparral specifically to accept the award. They were accompanied on stage by Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande CEO Lorenzo Reyes and Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande Board Chair Patricia Villalobos.

The award recognizes one employer in each of the 28 boards in the state. Each board nominates an employer based on the employer’s significant contribution to the workforce and economy. Previous Upper Rio honorees include ADP and the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso.