| North Central Workforce Development Board Helping Domtar employees Get Trained and Back to Work... |
Domtar announced in December 2007 that they would be closing the Port Edwards, WI mill. Domtar workers are receiving Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Dislocated Worker Program services are being provided at a "mini one-stop" job center operated by the AFL-CIO Labor, Education and Training Center (LETC). Domtar provided office space that allows for a computer resource area for job seeking activities, private offices for the LETC program specialists, a conference room for meetings and workshops and a computer lab for class-size training.
Since the closure announcement in December, Domtar workers have learned about and made connections with available services through WIA, local Job Centers, community agencies, state and federal programs, entrepreneurial resources, educational opportunities, Veterans programs/benefits and apprenticeship entities. Special "career days" were held to expose workers to educational opportunities through area technical colleges, public and private universities, building and construction trades and transportation related trainers and employers. Over 200 Domtar workers have accessed center services on an individual basis since it opened in February.
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| Southwest Workforce Development Board Working to Help General Motors Workers... |
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The first wave of automobile layoffs has occurred in the Janesville areas as General Motors continues to cut production of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (SWWDB) and staff at the Rock County Job Center have responded, working closely with both the union and management, to serve the more than 1,500 General Motors and supplier industry workers that have been permanently laid off this summer.
Using the locally developed FutureTrac workshops, Job Center personnel have provided career advisement services assisting auto workers enroll in retraining classes. Andy Richardson, president of UAW Local 95, expressed appreciation for the assistance provided to UAW members. "The staff at SWWDB and the Rock County Job Center has been here from the start and have helped our members through the transition," Richardson said. "We appreciate the assistance they have provided."
SWWDB has also worked closely with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in submitting a $3.8 million National Emergency Grant (NEG) to secure training funds for this first group of workers.
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| Milwaukee Workforce Investment Board Helps Disabled Iowa Flood Victims... |
In June 2008, more than 80 of Iowa's 99 counties were designated as disaster areas in need of assistance due to record level flooding. Thanks to a National Emergency Grant, the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board's Disability Navigator, Danna Rhinehart, was called into action to aid disabled Iowans in need of emergency assistance and to support recovery and stabilization operations.
For two weeks, Danna checked with Disaster Relief Centers, attended community meetings, assisted many who had lost durable medical equipment and connected hundreds of people to critical resources. In acknowledgment of her tremendous efforts on the ground, Danna has received public recognition and thanks from the Iowa disaster relief team as well as the State of Iowa. Iowa Governor Chester Culver thanked Danna and described her as having been an invaluable resource whose great ability to "boost the morale of the other members of the team" made all the difference. The Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board is proud to have represented the best of Wisconsin and the importance of a strong workforce development system.
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