Rhinelander pair earns NCWWDB award
North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (NCWWDB) selected and announced the 2013 recipients of its inaugaral Erhard Huettl Awards of Excellence.
Nominees were solicited throughout the Workforce Development Board’s nine-county region, for the following three categories: Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Youth Program Participant of the Year, Adult Program Participant of the Year and Dislocated
Worker Participant of the Year.
NCWWDB’s executive director, Rene Daniels introduced the recipients, and board chair, Kent Olson and former executive director, Michael Irwin presented the awards and congratulated the individuals for their outstanding achievements.
Two of those receiving awards were from Rhinelander as Jacob Neathery and Traci Dumpprope were honored.
WIA Youth Program Participant of the Year recipient is teen parent, Jacob Neathery of Rhinelander.
Neathery came a long way since a debilitating car accident on Mother’s Day in 2009. That accident prevented Jacob from graduating high school with his peers, and left him temporarily unable to work. Things got pretty tough, but Jacob never gave up. After his recovery and with the help of WIA funding, Jacob earned his EMT diploma, received his GED, and secured a full time job. He has also taken the steps to support himself and his young family. In addition, Jacob is planning to attend Paramedic training next spring.
WIA Adult Program Participant of the Year recipient is Traci Dumpprope of Rhinelander.
Dumpprope started her healthcare career path as a personal care worker. She enjoyed the healthcare field and dreamt of nursing school, but felt it was out of her reach. As a mother of two teenage boys and working in lower paying jobs, finding the extra money to attend school was just too difficult. However, Dumpprope was determined. She eventually began a Certified Nursing Assistant course through Nicolet Area Technical College (NATC). While there, she was told to contact Forward Service Corporation’s WIA case manager Joan Hartmann at the Northern Advantage Job Center. With Hartmann’s help, Dumpprope enrolled into WIA’s Adult Program, registered for the pre-nursing program at NATC and began her journey to become a RN. Despite encountering great adversity, which included her husband’s job loss and the passing of her father, Dumpprope was able to complete her nursing degree, pass her state boards, and is now gainfully employed as a RN.
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