The Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) recently honored Deep South Crane & Rigging with their 2020 Craft Workforce Development Best of Division I Award and their 2020 Safety Excellence Award for Division II.

The Craft Workforce Development Awards began in 2007 to help improve skills and promote best practices for craft workforce development in the region. This program and award process recognizes companies who demonstrate excellence investing in best practices for workforce development programs, with a focus on elements such as recruitment, assessment, training, career path development, and retention of craft personnel. Eligibility is based on nominations by GBRIA members, who submit their highest performing contractors for consideration. Deep South was nominated this year by ExxonMobil.

Deep South’s workforce program starts with identifying eligible candidates for hire, then developing their abilities with on-the-job training, mentoring, and experience in our industry. As employees demonstrate competency in their field, they are moved into levels and areas with more responsibility and authority. We focus on promoting within the organization and developing personnel into their best roles. The result is a workplace that is driven by employees who know the tools and methods to complete the job safely, timely, and effectively. In 2017, Deep South established the Heavy Hitters campaign to attract 17-24 year old talent to the industry. Local schools use Heavy Hitters campaign materials to discuss and inspire young people with real-world opportunities for success using their natural and sometimes overlooked skill set.

“We believe investing in workforce development is investing in our future,” said Kate L. Varisco of Deep South.

Deep South was also the Division II (>2M hours worked) Winner in the Crane & Rigging Division for GBRIA’s 24^th Annual Safety Excellence Awards. This year’s Safety Excellence Awards Program represented 48 nominated contractors from 27 member plants, with nominees representing contractors, involved in every facet of plant operations, who had impressive safety records over the past year. Deep South was nominated for the award this year by the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Complex.

If you would like more information about these topics, please contact:

Margaret L. Pernici at 225-754-0454 or Kate L. Varisco at 225-753-4371