Jane Oates Receives Goodwill Industries International Outstanding Leadership Award for Federal Executives

Rockville, MD — Goodwill Industries International is pleased to honor Jane Oates, Assistant Secretary of the Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor, with the Goodwill 2011 Outstanding Leadership Award for Federal Executives. The award is given by Goodwill Industries International and its board of directors’ public policy committee.
Jane OatesThe Outstanding Leadership Award honors federal executives’ support of Goodwill’s mission and public policy agenda. Oates is being personally recognized for her leadership to design and deliver high-quality training and employment programs for our nation’s workers. She has made a life-long commitment to public service, including collaborating with employers and federal agencies to help workers gain the skills and credentials they need to enter careers that pay family-supporting wages and offer opportunities for advancement.
Oates toured Goodwill® training facilities on numerous occasions, visiting welding labs and attending classes, including one on electronic medical records. She has also taken a keen interest in learning more about Goodwill’s initiative with community colleges.
“Jane Oates has been a true friend of Goodwill in our ongoing effort to generate opportunities for people to achieve economic stability and build strong families and vibrant communities,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We appreciate the leadership and initiative that Jane has shown while leading the Employment and Training Administration.”
Goodwill presented Oates with the Outstanding Leadership Award at an awards ceremony and reception on Monday, April 11, in Washington, D.C. as part of Goodwill Industries International’s fifth Advocacy Day.
“At Goodwill, I see tremendous training facilities and some of the most eager, talented and dedicated  program participants, but most importantly, I see a business model that helps people who want to work fulfill their goals of obtaining good jobs,” Oates said.
“Goodwill needs help in offering job-training and employment placement services to people who have disabilities, who lack education or job experience, or who face challenges to finding employment,” Gibbons said. “Fortunately, there are people such as Jane Oates who are in a position to provide that assistance.”