Blue Ridge PBS has won a regional Emmy Award for "JobQuest," a 15-month long employment advice and information series that helped put people back to work. James Baum, station president and CEO, said he and Blue Ridge PBS staff accept the prestigious award on behalf of all the volunteers, community partners and viewers that made the broadcast a success. The Emmy is the broadcast industry's benchmark for the recognition of television excellence.

"JobQuest" was chosen as the winner in the community service category, and recognized during a June 5 ceremony in Washington, D.C. Representatives from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS-NCCB) presented the Emmy statuette to Julie Newman, Blue Ridge PBS executive producer and host of "JobQuest."

Sue Ann Staake-Wayne, President of NATAS-NCCB, said there were a record number of nominations this year, and the community service category award is one of the most admired.

"It's a special award, because it is judged by a blue ribbon panel, and given to a station as opposed to an individual," she explained.

Baum said "JobQuest" would not have been possible without the early and substantial involvement of so many dedicated volunteers and community partners, along with the steadfast support of viewers.

"'JobQuest' really was a collaborative, community project." he continued. "Our partners were particularly important. They did not simply lend their names and logos for publicity. All were enthusiastically and integrally involved in each live broadcast. We especially want to recognize The Roanoke Times and WDBJ7 for their special assistance."

When the economy took a downturn in late 2008, Blue Ridge PBS joined forces with regional media colleagues and other community organizations to create the hour-long, live program. "JobQuest" partners were: The Roanoke Times, WDBJ7 (Roanoke CBS affiliate), Virginia Western & New River Community Colleges, Roanoke's Economic Development Office, Roanoke Regional Office of the Virginia Employment Commission, The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce; Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management; Virginia Economic Bridge, and National College.

Each "JobQuest" episode featured 60 job listings from across the region, along with expert insights to shorten the job hunt. Blue Ridge PBS regularly used new media tools like Twitter to share program content with a larger audience. The station also encouraged viewers to take their job hunt online. After more than a year of broadcasts and expanding online job hunting resources, "JobQuest" won multiple state and national broadcasting awards. The program also helped people like Christiansburg, Va. resident Alaina Bartley. She found a new job while watching an episode, and later contacted Blue Ridge PBS via Twitter to say thank you.

"JobQuest" continues to share its award-winning content with job seekers online at BlueRidgePBS.org, where there are how-to video clips, resume tips, and other resources from the program.