TrainND-Northwest Receives Two Awards Since Move to New Location | Williston State College

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TrainND-Northwest Receives Two Awards Since Move to New Location

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TrainND-Northwest Receives Two Awards Since Move to New Location

Posted: Nov 13 2015

WILLISTON, N.D. - The collaboration between Williston Economic Development STAR Fund and TrainND-Northwest to complete the new TrainND training facility located at 415 22nd Ave NE was recognized twice in October with local and national awards.

Internationally, Williston Economic Development received the Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) during their annual conference in Anchorage, Alaska, October 4-7.

This prestigious award honors organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Williston Economic Development nominated their collaboration with TrainND for an IEDC award in the category of Partnerships with Educational Institutions. 484 entries were submitted in 24 categories for this sought after award.

"This award recognizes the world's best economic development achievements," Deanette Piesik, CEO TrainND-Northwest, explained. "Our partnership is a perfect fit of how Economic Development impacts education and how important an educated workforce is to the businesses in any community."

Locally, Economic Development Association of North Dakota awarded the Williston STAR Fund and TrainND-Northwest for Project of the Year, October 25 in Watford City. Piesik nominated the collaboration between the STAR Fund and TrainND for this award.

"These awards, along with the industry, city, and Williston State College's (WSC) support, affirm what the TrainND Advisory Board has stated for many years: Williston needs a state-of-the-art training center not just for the oil and gas industry, but for all businesses in Northwest North Dakota," Piesik stated. "Without the STAR Fund dollars and Economic Development, the new Workforce Training Center would not have been completed."

Construction began on the 20,000 sq ft regional workforce-training center in April 2014. WSC, TrainND-Northwest, and Williston Economic Development formed a partnership to complete the $7.5 million project.

Williston's Economic Development STAR Fund made a $750,000 commitment to the project and challenged other local businesses to support the much-needed facility. The city was able to support the project as the STAR fund receives part of the sales tax collected in Williston.

These two significant awards recognize how working with one's community can help achieve mutual goals.

"In education, it is vital to reinforce what is taught in the classroom with hands-on training," Piesik said. "Our new facility was made possible due to many individuals and organizations working together to achieve our goal, and even now, people are donating equipment to our training field."

Piesik and TrainND were both nominated for two API Achievement Awards presented at the fourth annual API banquet, November 12. Nominated personally for an Outstanding Achievement - Individual award, Piesik co-nominee, John Seil took home the honor, while TrainND lost the title of Outstanding Achievement for a group to North Dakota Petroleum Council.

"Being a nominee was already such an honor," Piesek explained. "I am thankful for the recognition."

TrainND is here to serve all industries in northwest North Dakota. Please contact 701.572.2835 if you have any questions or concerns regarding TrainND's training programs.

For more information about the TrainND or these awards contact Deanette Piesik at 701.713.3780
For any information regarding WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu,
call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.

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