Names & notes

Friday, March 20, 2009

Peggy Palmer, chairwoman of the Indian Head Economic Development Commission, and Daniel Mears, town manager of La Plata, attended a two-day training seminar in Alexandria, Va., on workforce development March 11 and 12 along with 67 other professionals from across the country.

The training was offered by the International Economic Development Council as part of its certified economic developer and professional development program. Mears attained the designation of CEcD in 2004, and Palmer is pursuing the certification, according to a press release.

Workforce development efforts aim to improve the quality and skills of the workforce, help businesses meet their human resource demands and provide channels for businesses and workers to connect.

It includes education as well as job training, and involves basic skills such as literacy and math, hard skills such as welding and IT certification, as well as soft skills such as work ethics and attitude.

In confronting intense global competitiveness and surging productivity from technology advances, U.S. businesses require skilled personnel to maintain a competitive edge. This region in particular, requires workers knowledgeable in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, according to the release.

In the recent La Plata survey, residents reported a strong need to focus on job development for the community.

Attending the seminar provided the opportunity to understand the area's workforce and the skills it could offer potential employers, the release stated. Palmer is employing a program to advance STEM skills through an arts program at the Black Box Theatre in Indian Head.

Tech Wizards awarded contract

Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems of Cherry Hill, N.J., through Seaport-e, contracted Tech Wizards Inc. of La Plata to provide engineering, technical and programmatic support services.

Under the contract, Tech Wizards will support the development and delivery of AEGIS fleet computer aided sub-mode training lessons for cruiser modernization operator training and next generation class. Tech Wizards will work closely with Lockheed Martin to develop and maintain lesson sets critical to the development of Navy sailors, according to a Tech Wizards press release.

"We are very excited to work with Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems," said Ken Clark, president of Tech Wizards, in the release. "We are committed to supporting them in every capacity."

Tech Wizards was formed with the goal of providing software engineering and support services to the government and commercial arenas, the release stated. The firm specializes in tactical application engineering, tactical training applications and open architecture engineering.

Tech Wizards maintains offices in Dahlgren, Va., and Patuxent River.