ANDOVER — American Training, the Lawrence-based company that finds jobs and housing for disabled area residents, held its annual awards breakfast Friday.
During the event, a number of local firms that have helped the group by hiring their clients or helping fund the agency were recognized.
Decked out for the theme "Texas 2008," Andover Country Club was converted into a country-western setting with a 12-foot-tall cactus and a full-sized replica of a Conestoga wagon.
Employer of the Year awards went to Market Basket in North Andover and Danvers and Chili's in Andover, Reading and Salem, N.H. Company of the year was University Cap and Gown of Lawrence.
In all, some 35 companies, non-profits and a couple of schools were recognized for hiring workers who are trained by American Training.
"Our company doesn't just hold an awards ceremony," said Thomas Connors, president and CEO of American Training, located at 102 Glenn St., Lawrence. "We turn the simplest event into a major event. We realize the value of our partnerships with the business community, the efforts of our guests and colleagues. And nothing short of spectacular can express our appreciation."
Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, agreed.
"This company knows how to celebrate their success with the business community in a way that is always memorable," she said. "Their actions clearly show their genuine appreciation for our involvement."
William Harty, regional executive for Sovereign Bank, praised American Training for bringing trained workers together with local companies.
"When that happens, people in our community get trained, businesses get qualified workers and American Training accomplishes its mission," he said. "Sovereign Bank couldn't be more pleased in showcasing these kinds of successes."
Arthur Brady, American Training's executive director and chief operating officer, noted that "American Training doesn't just work with the business community, we partner with them. That one seemingly simple approach has set us apart time and time again."
In the last year, people from American Training handled 4 million Christmas and note cards for Museum Masterpiece of Lawrence; packaged 12 million pieces of cutlery for Comet of Chelmsford; put together 1.5 million cartridges for Sulzer of Salem, N.H.; assembled 500,000 pails for Leaktite of Leominster; and another pulled together 200,000 pounds of taffy for Ye Olde Pepper Candy Co. of Lawrence and North Andover.
Len Wilson, regional president of Sovereign Bank, said American Training helps the local economy compete in the global economy.
"The continuous development of an educated and well-trained work force becomes more and more of a necessity if we are going to maintain our leadership role in what is now a global community," he said. "As the competition for goods and services get greater, our workforce needs to not only keep current but excel in the marketplace. Companies like American Training have successfully found a niche where they not only succeed but are the best at what they do."
Founded in 1979, American Training operates 20 sites and homes in 10 cities and towns north of Boston. It has more than 300 full- and part-time employees serving 1,500 residents a year at its residential facilities. It also provides work-force services to people with disabilities, at-risk youth and life-long adult learners. It has a budget of $16 million a year.
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American Training awards
Some 35 companies were honored by American Training for hiring local disabled workers trained by the Lawrence-based agency.
And the honorees were:
Market Basket in North Andover and Danvers, Chili's in Andover, Reading and Salem, N.H., University Cap and Gown of Lawrence, R & L Cleaning Service of Lowell, Associated X-Ray Imaging Corp. of Haverhill, Kohl's of Salem, N.H., Lawrence General Hospital, Chunky's Cinema Pub in Haverhill, Harrison's Roast Beef in North Andover, the Lawrence Salvation Army, Bertucci's in North Andover, Holiday Inn in Tewksbury, Honey Dew Donuts in Melrose and Wakefield, BJ's Wholesale Club in Salem, N.H., the MSPCA in Methuen, Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, Methuen Veterans' Services, the St. Vincent De Paul Society of Lawrence, Day's Hotel in Methuen, Diamond Iron Works, LIie is Good of Hudson, N.H., Malden High School, National Grid of Westborough, Proxy Inc. of Methuen, Ravensburger F.X. Schmid USA of Newton, N.H., Salafia Chiropractor of Lawrence, St. John's Prep School in Danvers, Sulzer Mixpac USA of Salem, N.H., TOFIAS of Cambridge, Veritude/Fidelity Investments of Boston, Wal-Mart in Tewksbury, Warde Health Center in Windham, N.H. and WNA Comet Inc. of Chelmsford.
