The W-O-W Workforce Development Board is continuously enhancing services to focus on swift worker reentry into the labor force. How is this enhanced? Currently, the W-O-W Workforce Development Board prepares workers for employment based on labor market projections. The enhancement focuses on matching current job openings and employer need, with job seeker's current marketable skills. Through ongoing partnerships with economic development, chambers of commerce, technical colleges, private colleges, and community entities, the Board is able to serve customers by accelerating the fulfillment of current job openings. The enhanced focus is to fill jobs now.
Flexibility to Employer Demand
Every day employers contact the W-O-W Workforce Development Board with announcement of new job openings. This daily on-the-ground knowledge, coupled with ongoing community partnerships, allows for flexibility in responding to present employer demand and to fill. jobs. now.
Since the W-O-W Workforce Development Board is a provider of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs, serving youth, adult, and dislocated workers throughout the region, they are able to access job seekers with a variety of skills to fill current job openings.
Streamlined Process, Choices, and Access to Employment
The enhancement will allow for quick identification of career choices and access to employment. Within a few hours, job seeker skill levels will be assessed and their marketable skills identified. That knowledge, coupled with knowledge of daily job openings, will allow job seekers to quickly access current job openings and to fill. jobs. now.
As you know, some job seekers experience career challenges preventing them from obtaining and retaining employment. Many times barriers to employment are unrelated to vocational skill training and can be mitigated relatively quickly. In instances where this is possible, job seekers will receive streamlined and simultaneous job search, case management, and supportive services. When vocational training is sought by employers, targeted short-term training will be offered. The streamlined process will allow the Board and partners to fill. jobs now.
Case Management Worker
Daily Job Openings
Supportive Services
Vocational Training
The W-O-W Workforce Development Board is participating in a YouthBuild pilot program to address substance abuse barriers. If successful, the pilot program could be expanded and incorporated to WIA services. The pilot incorporates a results-based substance abuse intervention program, entitled "Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment" (SBIRT), into case management services. The general public falls into one of three categories: (a) the population without dependency (71%), (b) excessive use (25%) and (c) serious dependency (4%). "Excessive users" have behaviors that, many times, can be modified with relatively few intervention conversations. The focus becomes changing "excessive use" behaviors that lead to losing employment, to "moderate use" behaviors and responsible decision making. Typically, after 5-6 intervention discussions, participants are able to improve access to employment by eliminating substance abuse barriers.
Incorporating SBIRT into programs saves time, duplication and administrative dollars associated with referral of participants in need of brief intervention versus intensive treatment. Efficient and effective mitigation of barriers will enable to fill. jobs. now.
In addition to the aforementioned process, the entire premise of the One-Stop Center is to streamline business and participant's access to job training services. The One-Stop Center is a one physical building that houses various government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations that address two primary needs: (1) businesses need for a skilled workforce, and (2) job seeker's need for employment and training services. Partners include:
Workforce Development Boards
W-2 providers
Senior Community Service programs
WI Job Service
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Economic Development
Health and Human Services
Veterans
TAA
Overseen by local Workforce Development Boards and legislated by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, One-Stop Centers are a single point of contact for businesses and job seekers that provide comprehensive information on employment-related services. The purpose of the One-Stop Center is to advance the economic well-being of the region by developing and maintaining a quality workforce. This is most efficiently and effectively achieved through the co-location and integration of employment, training, and economic development services for businesses, workers, and job seekers.
Working together to fill. jobs. now.
Workforce Development Association as being "heroes" in the fight to recover from America's, and/or Wisconsin's, "Great Recession". 
Recognizing the value of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in career preparation and advancement, businesses, education and community agencies in southwest Wisconsin have led the way to better prepare today's students and tomorrow's workers for more demanding careers in technical fields. STEMposium, held at the Belmont, WI. Convention Center April 28 and co-sponsored by the 
