June 15, 2010

Situs Outsourcing Solutions of Robbins was recently named the recipient of an Excellence in Partnering award for 2009-2010 presented by the Pee Dee Region Workforce Development Board.  Linda Parker, Director of the Pee Dee Region Workforce Development Board, recognized Situs at a June 3^rd banquet in Pinehurst where Jennifer Lang, Director of Situs’ Robbins office and Danna Powers, Human Resources Manager, accepted the award on the company’s behalf.  Situs was nominated by the Moore County JobLink Career Center in Aberdeen.

Moore County JobLink offers workforce development assistance and resources to area businesses to help with hiring, training and retaining qualified workers.  By partnering with a variety of local organizations, JobLink maximizes the range of services available to assist businesses, and this comprehensive service network can leverage resources throughout the County.  JobLink’s partners include, among many others, the Employment Security Commission, Sandhills Community College, FirstHealth Community Services and Moore County’s economic development organization, Partners in Progress. 

The Excellence in Partnering award is given to businesses that work closely with the local JobLink office and effectively use its partner network to meet workforce needs and goals.  Last year’s recipient was Meridian Kiosks LLC of Aberdeen.

Situs Outsourcing Solutions is a division of The Situs Companies, a global real estate and financial services company headquartered in Houston.  The Robbins location is an innovative operations center started in January 2007 that competes directly with offshore providers of support services to the commercial real estate finance and banking industries.  The center has enabled Situs to increase customer satisfaction by providing higher-quality services at lower costs to its clients.

The company also strives to create quality job opportunities for local workers and to maintain a dedicated and enthusiastic workforce.  “Situs’ exceptional commitment to their employees, community and clients, as well as their willingness to go above and beyond, make it easy to see why they are worthy of this award,” said Crystal Taylor, Business Services Specialist at JobLink.  “Moore County JobLink appreciates being able to work with a company of Situs’ caliber and assist them with their workforce needs.”

Since 2007, the company has successfully joined efforts with the Aberdeen JobLink office and numerous partnering agencies to fill job vacancies, apply for funding assistance, train employees, participate in unique opportunities including a regional pre-apprenticeship project and administer specialized job-specific testing.  Situs collaborated with Sandhills Community College to apply for funding to assist with creating a customized employee training program.  Over $200,000 was subsequently awarded through the North Carolina New and Expanding Industry Training (NEIT) program managed locally by the College.

Through the Pee Dee Region Workforce Development Board and the JobLink office, Situs was also awarded $80,000 for on-the-job training initiatives under the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  The Pee Dee Board and JobLink oversee the WIA workforce development program at the local level.

Situs took advantage of another partnering opportunity by working with the Town of Robbins and Partners in Progress on a Building Reuse and Restoration Grant through the N.C. Rural Center for Economic Development.  The Town was subsequently awarded $150,000 to apply toward the company’s costs of renovating the former Candor Hosiery building on NC 24/27.  Between 2007 and 2009, Situs completed over $300,000 in renovations that converted vacant manufacturing space into new offices and work spaces.

These collaborative efforts not only facilitated the company’s successful start, but have also benefited the community at large.  “Since coming to Robbins, Situs has been a model corporate citizen that actively supports and encourages employee participation in a wide a range of civic projects and charities in both the Robbins community and in Moore County,” Taylor said.  “Robbins’ annual Farmer’s Day Festival, Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank of Moore County, and the Robbins public library, are just a few of the organizations that have benefited from Situs’ philanthropic efforts and financial support.”

“Situs greatly appreciates our partnerships with Moore County JobLink, Sandhills Community College, Partners in Progress and the many other organizations in Moore County that have contributed enormously to our success in Robbins,” Lang said.  “It’s great to be honored with an Excellence in Partnering award.  We look forward to Situs’ continued growth and involvement in the Moore County community.”

“The company also deserves recognition for already creating close to 60 new, service jobs that have replaced some of the hundreds of manufacturing jobs lost in Robbins over the past 15 years, and they are still growing!” added Ray Ogden, Executive Director of Partners in Progress.  “Situs is a true success story for rural Moore County and a tremendous asset to the area.”

For more information about The Situs Companies, visit www.situscos.com.

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