By Justin Criado

Bidwell Training Center (BTC), a division of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, honored the 2015-­16 Jesse W. Fife Jr. Fabric of Our Community award recipients Nov. 13. Braskem America, Dignity & Respect Campaign, and Michael J. Romano were this year’s honorees.

“This year’s awardees demonstrate how effective partnerships with industry, community initiatives and like-minded individuals can strengthen a school¹s ability to offer the right types of training programs that will result in meaningful employment for graduates. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our awardees for helping us to change lives and become an ACCSC School of Excellence,” Valerie Njie, Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Bidwell Training Center, said in a statement.

Each year, the Chateau center selects awardees that embody the mission and vision of changing the lives of adults in transition in Southwestern Pennsylvania and demonstrate a significant and consistent contribution to the career training sector.

Braskem America has continuously worked with BTC for over two decades, providing equipment donations, program advisory committee membership, student engagement, externships and graduate employment.

The Dignity & Respect Campaigns mission is to make the world a better place for all to live with ALL of our differences‹a philosophy mirroring and supporting BTCs mission of changing lives of adults in transition. The POWRR Program has provided valuable job readiness training to BTC’s medical students resulting in meaningful employment.

Michael J. Romano has served on BTC’s Pharmacy Technician program advisory committee and has made major contributions with the creation of curriculum and program development. His expertise in the field as Director of Pharmacy Services for UPMC and member of the PA State Board of Pharmacy has contributed to the success of the Pharmacy Technician program and its graduates.

President and CEO of BTC’s parent company Manchester Bidwell Corporation (MBC), William E. Strickland Jr. and Executive Vice President and COO of MBC, Kevin L. Jenkins, LSW, were on hand to present the awards.

Other Fabric of Our Community honorees have included the Reverend Dr.James J. Robinson, Founder of Bidwell Cultural and Training Center; Jack Forsythe, New Business Opportunity Analyst, Individual Marketing CAS, Covestro LLC; Mary Curet Duranti, Director, Disabilities Resource Center at UPMC; Scott Lammie, Chief Financial Officer, UPMC Health Plan and Senior Vice President, UPMC Insurance Services Division; the John and Cathy Pelusi Family Fund; Ms. Mary Ann Eisenreich and Pennsylvania Women Work; and Mr. Josifani Munyika Moyo.

Each year, BTC selects awardees that embody the mission and vision of changing the lives of adults in transition in Southwestern Pennsylvania and demonstrate a significant and consistent contribution to the career training sector.

The award is named for the late Mr. Jesse W. Fife Jr., who received the award posthumously in 2011. During his long tenure as Manchester Bidwell Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Fife strengthened the fabric of Pittsburgh’s community by helping to create and nurture Bidwell Training Center.