In our ongoing effort to foster workforce development, DeVal Lifecycle Support recently had the privilege of hosting a tour for esteemed representatives from the Department of Labor (DOL). Welcoming Lenita Jacob-Simmons, the Deputy Assistant Secretary, alongside Jennifer Friedman, the Philly Regional Administrator, and Linda Bobo, the Federal Project Officer – all from the DOL's Employment and Training Administration – was an invaluable experience that allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to community growth, individual empowerment, and workforce development.
“I want to clone you” said Ms. Lenita Jacobs-Simmons. “I grew up as a disadvantaged child in the inner city of Philadelphia and took advantage of a DOL grant” Currently, Ms. Jacobs-Simmons is responsible for ETA’s offices of Unemployment Insurance, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Policy, Development and Research, as well as oversight of regional operations.
Our discussions with the DOL centered on our transformative work in Philadelphia and surrounding communities. By focusing on individuals spanning diverse backgrounds, including refugees, at-risk youth, veterans, returning citizens, and differently abled individuals, we aim to create an environment where everyone can achieve their God-given potential. Upheld by our core values of innovation, acceleration, and empowerment, our initiatives are tailored to benefit both communities at large and the individuals within them.
One of the areas we are most proud of is our involvement in strengthening the defense industrial base. By offering opportunities and carving progression pathways, especially for youth in underserved areas such as HUBzones, we ensure that the future workforce is robust and skilled. This is further solidified by our machinist training program, where we train individuals on CNC machines and in NDT testing. Not only do employees receive a certificate of achievement from DeVal Lifecycle Support upon completing this rigorous program, but they are also eligible for the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Machining Level 1 or Level 2 Certification. Our trainers foster and encourage curiosity and learning within these skillsets, with the goal of improving our workforce’s skills to reach higher paying positions and opportunities. We provide all these training opportunities at no cost to our employees, emphasizing our dedication to their professional advancement.
DeVal consistently provides avenues for growth, both in their personal and professional lives. A commitment to continuous training and development is what keeps us competitive in the industry. By addressing skill gaps, nurturing a learning culture, and maximizing employee engagement, we ensure our organizational needs align with the development of our employees. This also entails recruiting the right talent for the right roles, championing diversity in leadership, fostering a multi-generational workforce, and providing advancement opportunities across varied organizational frameworks.
In collaboration with the DOL, DeVal Lifecycle Support remains steadfast in its mission: to prepare and strengthen the workforce for the evolving challenges and burgeoning opportunities of tomorrow.
DeVal Lifecycle Support, a Parts Life, Inc. Company, is a full service build to print mechanical manufacturer of armament and ground support equipment, sub-assemblies, and major parts and components for military systems and sub-systems for over 60 years. As a small business certified HUBZone contractor for the Department of Defense, DeVal LCS is a full-service original equipment manufacturer with extensive high precision machining capabilities used to support our prime and government customers. Products include munitions trailers adapters & add-ons, drawbars, cargo loaders, weapon transport adapters, bomb hoist, dollies, self-propelled weapons loaders, testing and tool sets, and more. DeVal operates under regimented performance guidelines constituted by ISO9001:2015 and AS9100D Certified Quality Management Systems Programs.
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