September 2009 Vol 1, Issue 17
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Workforce Development in Wisconsin WWDA Logo
Greetings!
The Wisconsin Workforce Development Association (WWDA) is working to ensure that the ARRA stimulus funds are used to prepare Wisconsin citizens for jobs. 
Data and stories relating to the workforce development activities funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) can be found in the latest edition of the Workforce Times, a WWDA publication specific to the ARRA workforce projects and programs. 
 
It is important to note that the ARRA funds are prescriptive and must be used within the context of current rules established by the Workforce Investment Act and the specific guidance issued by the federal government through its Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
 
The Wisconsin Workforce Development Association recognizes the importance of communication on statewide workforce issues and we encourage you to contact us with any questions you have. 
 
If you wish to be added to future mailings or removed from mailings please use the links at the bottom of the newsletter.  Thank you!
In This Issue
Wisconsin's Technical Colleges: Recipients of Workforce Board Training Funds
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Update
$100,000 Training Grant to North Central Wisconsin to Train 400
Quick Links
Wisconsin's Technical Colleges: Recipients of Workforce Board Training Funds
 
 
 
What is an ITA?
An Individual Training Account (ITA) is a voucher issued to eligible individuals to "purchase" training that best meets their needs.  Legislated by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, the "market driven system" enables customers to choose training(s) delivered by an eligible training provider.  The State Department of Workforce Development and local Workforce Development Boards work cooperatively to determine eligible training providers.

Who gets the money?
ITAs are issued to by local Workforce Development Boards to individuals.  During the past 10 years, the 11 local workforce boards throughout Wisconsin have issued 13,440 ITAs!  Sixty-seven percent (67%) of those ITAs - a total of 9,054 individual training accounts - were issued to students attending Wisconsin Technical Colleges.  The remaining 32 percent (4,383 training accounts) were disbursed among various organizations including Universities and non-profit training providers.  To view the complete ITA provider report visit the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Update
 
arra logoThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided approximately $25.7 million in Workforce Investment funds to the eleven Workforce Development Boards in Wisconsin. These funds are being used to provide employment and training services to youth, adults, and dislocated workers.

The ARRA program implemented by Wisconsin's workforce boards has exceeded initial performance goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Each month the WWDA Workforce Times newsletter provides federal legislators and stakeholders with an update of the statewide ARRA Workforce Investment Act data and success stories. The latest issue is full of stories about the young people who are employed through the Summer Youth Employment Programs across the state. 

We hope that you find the information provided here helpful in understanding the role that ARRA Workforce Investment Act funds will play in the state. As always, the Workforce Development Board leaders welcome questions or comments from legislators.
$100,000 Training Grant to North Central Wisconsin to Train 400 Workers for Wind Turbine Plant
On behalf of Governor Jim Doyle, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman has awarded a $100,000 workforce training grant to the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (NCWWDB), to prepare the first of 400 workers for green jobs when a new Wisconsin Rapids business starts manufacturing wind turbine blades. 
 
The grant is one of six, $100,000 awards in a second round of funding under Governor Doyle's Emerging Industries Skills Partnership (EISP) initiative. Governor Doyle included new EISP funding in the nearly $6 million worker training package he announced in March.
 
The $100,000 grant awarded to the NCWWDB will be matched by more than $60,000 locally. Among the goals of the Renewable Electric Power project is to train 35 individuals, including dislocated workers, for the first openings at the Energy Composites Corporation, the parent company of Advanced Fiberglass Technologies. Earlier this year, the firm announced its plans to use green techniques during the design and construction of a 350,000 square-foot, composites fabrication plant to manufacture wind turbine blades.
 
As part of the project, Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) is creating a 12-credit Composite Certificate, intensive, short-term, customized training in turbine blade fabrication. The 35 trainees are to complete six-months of instruction in June, allowing others to enter the pipeline for employment opportunities at the plant. In the process, the project will develop a green job career pathway for the emerging renewable energy sector in the north central region.
 
"This is our future," Secretary Gassman said, "seizing green opportunities that will create good jobs for our citizens and fuel economic growth in the emerging industries of renewable energy, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing."
 
This project aligns with Governor Doyle's GROW Wisconsin plan by advancing North Central Wisconsin as a region dedicated to building a green jobs manufacturing workforce that has the capacity to work productively in a technologically-advanced environment.  At the foundation of this project is a partnership and collaboration between the Workforce Development Board, Energy Composites Corporation, MSTC, and the Job Center system.  Other collaborators include Northcentral Technical College, Nicolet Technical College, and the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance.
 
Photo of awardIn announcing the grant at Energy Composites, Secretary Gassman was joined by Senator Julie Lassa of Stevens Point, State Representative Marlin Schneider of Wisconsin Rapids, NCWWDB Executive Director, Sally Cutler, MSTC President, John Clark, and Energy Composites Corporation's General Counsel/Secretary, Ken Iwinski. 
 
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Mari Kay
Wisconsin Workforce Development Association