|
FEDERAL UPDATE ON WORKFORCE FUNDING
| |
 You may recall in November this newsletter included information on House-proposed cuts to programs under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, resulting in as many as 6.5 million U.S. jobseekers losing access to critical employment and training services under such programs. Wisconsin would have lost 73% of Workforce Investment Act funds affecting an estimated 19,419 residents.
On December 17, the Senate approved an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, including the bill funding the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Although the bill continues the long-term trend toward disinvestment in a skilled U.S. workforce-making roughly $155 million in cuts to Department of Labor (DOL) job training programs and a number of programmatic changes to the Pell Grant program that will limit access to critical financial aid for working adults and other nontraditional students-the overall cuts are less damaging than they could have been. Click here for more information. |
|
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: THE "WIN-WIN" PROGRAM
| |
On-the-Job (OJT) Training allows employers to develop their workforce while training individuals in specific skills and abilities. It has been described as a "win-win" situation for employers and job seekers. The flexibility of this program allows for businesses in many different industries to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their workforce.
The success of this program can be seen through the dynamic relationship the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (NWWIB) and their service provider, CEP, Inc., has created with C & S Design and Engineering, Inc. Over the years, C & S Design and Engineering, Inc. has utilized the OJT Program to train many different positions ranging from an administrative assistant, CAD operator, general office staff, to building designers. Located in Ashland, Wisconsin, they specialize in building design, consulting, construction management, and inspections.
|
|
VIDEO CONFERENCING OFFERINGS FOR BUSINESSES!
| |
Last Septemeber, WWDA kicked off its statewide video conference workshop series. This series provides many different workshops aimed at both employers and job seekers. Some of the exciting offerings for employers include "Time Management Skills" and "I'm LinkedIn . . . Now What? An Intro to Social Media for Your Business." Both workshops provide strategy and advice for succeeding in time management and social media marketing and are free to businesses who want to participate.
Jobseekers also have a variety of workshop topics to choose from, such as resume writing, interview advice, and basic job search techniques. WWDA is striving to find innovative and effective ways to bring employment services to those in need. For a full list of workshops and available locations across the state, please visit www.wwdaanytime.com.For more information or if you have any questions on the site please e-mail wwdainfo@gmail.com.
|
|
WWDA 101:AN INTRODUCTION TO STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT
|  Wisconsin Workforce Development Association has created a video introduction to explain the organization and the work of the 11 Workforce Development Boards throughout Wisconsin. The video features the directors and others from the different Workforce Development Boards and their take on workforce investment, including information on the One-Stop Job Center System, sector and economic development initiatives, and youth initiatives that aim to help prepare Wisconsin's workforce. View it here!
|
|
DWD Secretary Newson: 2011 Was a Year of Progress, Continued Partnerships
| 
I am extremely pleased with the partnerships the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has formed and strengthened during the first year of Governor Walker's leadership.
Throughout 2011, we developed strong collaborations with the 11 regional Workforce Development Boards; the Wisconsin Legislature; the Wisconsin Technical College System; the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and regional economic development organizations; public and private employers; and many other individuals and organizations.
At the Governor's direction, DWD has acted quickly to move the state's workforce system in a new direction, one that supports the goal of promoting a business climate that helps the private sector create 250,000 jobs in four years.
Our updated mission at DWD is to advance Wisconsin's economy and business climate by empowering and supporting the workforce. Within that context, we developed a Strategic Plan for DWD to guide agency activities that will make Wisconsin the workforce of choice.
While each DWD staff member will play a role in realizing the plan's goals, so will our many workforce partners, as no single agency can advance a strong state workforce development system on its own.
We made great progress in 2011; here's to even greater progress in 2012 and beyond!
|
ABOUT US
| |
The Wisconsin Workforce Development Association (WWDA) is an association of the leadership of the 11 workforce development regions of Wisconsin. This 33-member body consists of the 11 Private Sector Business Workforce Board Chairs, the 11 Chief Elected Officials representing local government and the 11 Executive Officers of the Regional Workforce Development Organizations. Together they represent: over 170 local businesses across the state who are the majority of members as well as the business leadership that guides our member Workforce Development Boards.
WWDA is always available as a resource for any legislator with questions on the workforce investment system in Wisconsin. Please do not hesitate to contact us! |
|
WHY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT?
| | A new national website www.workforceinvestmentworks.com allows you to search your state for the success stories related to the the Workforce Investment Act. There is also a brief video that highlights what the Workforce Boards do across the nation. |
|
Members of the Wisconsin Workforce Development Association and business owners and stakeholders from across the state will be heading to Madison on February 23rd to meet with state legislators about workforce and employment issues. If you would like more information on becoming involved with this event please e-mail 