LUFKIN, Texas – Portacool received the Local Employer Award of Excellence for the Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas (Deep East Texas) area at the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) 20th Annual Texas Workforce Conference held Dec. 7-9 in Houston. The award honors private-sector employers that are actively involved with Texas Workforce Solutions and have made a positive impact on employers, workers and the community.

 

Portacool began as a small, family-owned business in 1990 in the town of Center and has evolved into a company with a workforce of more than 300 employees. Portacool is now the global leader in the portable evaporative cooling business and continues to increase its innovative product line. Portacool has built a reputation for being a company focused on world-class customer service and its employees have shaped a proud history of excellence and a vision for the future.

 

Portacool develops and retrains its workforce through courses offered at the plant and offers tuition reimbursement. The company also helps train the future workforce through a summer internship program that allows Panola College students to gain work experience. Portacool also has partnered with Panola College, Stephen F. Austin University and Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas to recruit skilled workers. Portacool regularly participates in job and youth career fairs.

 

“These employers recognize the importance of establishing strong collaborations with the workforce system, exhibiting great dedication to their employees and local communities, and helping to provide positive working environments,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “I congratulate Portacool and Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas for their commitment to the Texas workforce through their ongoing development and training efforts.”

 

Deep East Texas was also recognized for outstanding board performance, receiving a $100,000 Youth Inspiration and Career Awareness award to support career awareness and exploration for young adults. Monetary awards for achievement in this category will be used to enhance workforce service programs during the next year.

 

Texas Workforce Solutions comprises TWC, its Workforce Solutions workforce development board partners and adult education providers across the state. As one of 28 local workforce boards located throughout the state, Deep East Texas serves the workforce needs of Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler counties through locally designed, market-driven workforce development initiatives and services. All employers, workers and job seekers are eligible to take advantage of these services.