Daley presents 2010 WorkforceChicago award to Grant Thornton LLP
Firm is recognized for its significant contributions to learning and development
CHICAGO, August 31, 2010 – Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations, is a recipient of the 2010 WorkforceChicago award. The award, which recognizes leading Chicagoland companies that demonstrate exemplary learning and development practices, was presented by Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley to Grant Thornton’s CEO Stephen Chipman on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
“Receiving the 2010 WorkforceChicago award is a great honor . . . and presented by Mayor Daley no less!” said Chipman.“Recognition by such an esteemed organization affirms the priority Grant Thornton gives to developing our people. As part of our business strategy, we foster a learning culture, and the reputation for creating this type of professional environment draws the best people to our workforce.”
Pamela Tate, President and CEO of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, explained the challenge that exists for Chicago and the rest of the nation: “Nine countries now surpass the United States in the numbers of people 25 to 34 who’ve completed post-secondary degrees, and those countries include Canada, Korea, and Japan. How are we going to compete with them if we don’t educate working adults? How will our economy recover? These employers recognize that this is an urgent need both for the health of their companies and the future of the American economy.”
Through its annual awards process, WorkforceChicago recognizes Chicago-area companies for their significant contributions to learning and development. To date, 27 companies have been awarded for excellence. Nominees are judged based on what WorkforceChicago has identified as the Nine Key Components of Exemplary Practice in Employee Learning and Development:
- Leadership vision and commitment drive learning.
- Employee learning is aligned with business goals.
- Learning and development functions are strategically positioned within senior management.
- Leadership development is emphasized at all levels of the organization.
- Firm is committed to expanding knowledge beyond job-related or technical skills.
- Informal learning opportunities are structured at the workplace.
- Technology is used strategically to meet learning objectives.
- Alliances with educational institutions are central to learning strategy.
- Assessment of impact is measured.
In addition to Grant Thornton, Potbelly Sandwich Works also received a 2010 award. Some of the other companies that have received WorkforceChicago awards include: GE Commercial Finance (2008), Accenture (2006), IBM (2006) and US Cellular (2005).
- ends -
About WorkforceChicago
WorkforceChicago is a collaborative initiative that benchmarks and recognizes exemplary employee learning and development strategies in Chicagoland companies—building a regional culture of high performance, productivity and pride. We bring together leaders from business, higher education, government and the non-profit sector in an effort to highlight and promote corporate excellence in workforce development.
From its inception, the vision of WorkforceChicago has been to turn the Chicago region into one of the nation’s prime talent pools. We seek to do this through removing the barriers to lifelong learning for employees by influencing corporate practices and advocating for public policies that promote skill-building for incumbent workers.
WorkforceChicago was developed by The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) in collaboration with the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC) and World Business Chicago.
About Grant Thornton LLP
The people in the independent firms of Grant Thornton International Ltd provide personalized attention and the highest quality service to public and private clients in more than 100 countries. Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations. Grant Thornton International Ltd and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership, as each member firm is a separate and distinct legal entity.
In the U.S., visit Grant Thornton LLP at www.GrantThornton.com.
