Lewiston, MN April 10, 2019 – PlastiCert, approaching 40 years of innovative and quality composite injection molding design and manufacturing services, reports its President and Owner Craig Porter was invited to present a morning address to a group of foreign health and education professionals.
On April 3, PlastiCert President and Owner Craig Porter gave a presentation to professionals from the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and Education. Their visit was made possible through a partnership between Open World Leadership Center and the Rotary Club of Winona. The delegation was in Winona the first week in April, hearing about care and employment options provided to individuals with disabilities in the Winona area.
On Tuesday the visitors were at Winona ORC Industries. A tour and discussion was led by Heidi S. Smith, Executive Director of Winona ORC Industries on the employment and growth opportunities provided those with disabilities at ORC.
Also, the visitors heard from:
- A representative from Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center,
- A Winona State professor on the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) program,
- The head of the Special Education and Continuing Education department at Winona Area Public Schools,
- And PlastiCert’s Porter who spoke about hiring people with disabilities in the competitive workforce. PlastiCert partners with their local high school, providing work place exposure and skill exploration for students with developmental disabilities. Porter also sits as Chairman of the Winona Workforce Development Board who in partnership with local elected officials, is one of 16 boards in Minnesota setting local policy and provide input and strategic direction for meeting workforce development goals as outlined in state and federal statute.
PlastiCert President/Owner Craig Porter pictured with Professionals from the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and Education. Porter holds the Ukrainian Folk Art hospitality gifts they presented him after his presentation.
About Open World
The Open World Leadership Center administers the Open World program, one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs for countries of the post-Soviet era. The program has enabled more than 27,000 current and future leaders from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to meaningfully engage and interact with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and thousands of other Americans, many of whom are the delegates’ direct professional counterparts.
The Open World program focuses both on assisting the Congress in its oversight responsibilities and on conducting exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between the up-and-coming leaders of Open World countries and Americans dedicated to showcasing U.S. values and democratic institutions. The Center’s bipartisan nature and independence from the priorities of any presidential administration is an important asset for the program.
About Winona ORC Industries
Winona ORC is the community leader in providing job opportunities for people with disabilities, helping them realize their potential. Winona ORC provides job related services to people with barriers to employment in Southeast Minnesota. Their mission is to provide services for people with disabilities in our community, including: vocational counseling, comprehensive job-related skill training and meaningful employment. ORC envisions a world where every person with disabilities–physical, mental or learning–is living their full potential through meaningful work, community interactions, family and friendships.
About PlastiCert
PlastiCert was founded in 1981 and is a privately held corporation with headquarters and manufacturing in Lewiston Minnesota. Initially a custom molder targeted at the electronics industry, today PlastiCert is a one-stop shop for OEMs in telecom, industrial, computer, avionics, medical markets and more. PlastiCert provides both mold development/build and custom composite injection molding; including insert molding and over molding. Also available are a compliment of value add capabilities including decorating and electro-mechanical assembly. For more information on PlastiCert and the opportunity we present users of custom molded composite components, visit www.plasticert.com or call 507-523-2300.
