MARYLAND WORKSMART NAMES NEW DIRECTOR
Melanie Koorey from Anne Arundel Community College will lead employee training program
BALTIMORE, MD (February 14, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) today announced that Melanie Koorey has been named the new director of the Maryland WorkSmart program. Started in 2016, Maryland WorkSmart is a joint effort between Commerce and DLLR that partners the state’s 16 community colleges with local employers to build customized workforce training and assess future training needs. Koorey was previously with the corporate training group at Anne Arundel Community College, where she has worked as business development manager since 2009.
“We are excited to have Melanie on board to lead this program, which helps businesses address their critical workforce training needs and enables our community colleges to better prepare for the demands of an innovation economy,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “This program demonstrates Maryland’s commitment to ensure that our businesses have every possible advantage to succeed and grow.”
“Maryland employers face a growing skills gap that can challenge competition in today’s economy,” said Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski. “To overcome these challenges, our job creators have a unique opportunity to build a highly-skilled and functional workforce. Maryland WorkSmart helps them do this by leveraging the state’s dynamic community college system to deliver training solutions that increase productivity and help businesses thrive.”
Maryland Worksmart provides both customized and ready-made training solutions for employers looking to optimize worker productivity. The WorkSmart partnership uses Maryland’s network of community colleges and experts in training and education for cost-effective employee training delivered onsite at a business or in a specialized community college training facility.
“The community colleges have offered corporate training programs for years, but through this partnership, Maryland can target key industry skill gaps and proactively prepare for future workforce needs,” said Kip Kunsman, interim dean of the Anne Arundel Community College School of Continuing Education & Workforce Development. “We are fortunate to have someone of Melanie Koorey’s caliber and experience step up to lead WorkSmart.”
The Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) worked with the state to develop Maryland WorkSmart. For more information, visit: https://mdacc.org/worksmart/
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We’re proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow DLLR on Twitter (@MD_DLLR), Facebook and visit our website.
