Workforce Today

E-Magazine    

A Publication for Businesses of Northwest Wisconsin

 

Summer 2012
 
Issue: 1
Welcome to the Summer Edition of Workforce Today Magazine!

 

Greetings!

 

In this edition of the Workforce Today Magazine, NWWIB is proud to announce we have been awarded a $22,500 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. This grant will aid NWWIB in addressing needs in advanced manufacturing and healthcare sectors along with exploring the development of other industry sector groups.
 
NWWIB would also like to inform you of a very exciting opportunity for regional entrepreneurs. The Business Idea Contest is a great way to receive funding to make your idea a reality. Read on to find out more details about the contest and to learn what else NWWIB has been up to.

 

Happy reading!
 

Mari Kay-Nabozny  

 

* If you wish to unsubscribe to this publication please use the link at the bottom of this page. 
NWWIB awarded $22,500 Industry Sectors Convening Grant

Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (NWWIB, Inc.) has received a $22,500 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to address needs and initiatives in both the advanced manufacturing and healthcare sectors, as well as explore developing other industry sector groups.
 

NWWIB, Inc. recently received a Department of Labor grant for the Health Care and Regional Employment (HealthCARE) Project for on-the-job training in healthcare occupations.  The Sector Convening Grant funds will be utilized to also support healthcare career development by increasing the entry-level career pathway activities involved in funneling individuals toward the occupations served through the HealthCARE Project. The Sector Convening Grant will also provide further sector development by funding activities such as completing a skills gap analysis, identify and support key healthcare pathway entry points, and work with technical college partners on further developing career pathways.

 

Healthcare is not the only expanding industry in the northwest Wisconsin region, the advanced manufacturing sector is growing. Through this grant, NWWIB, Inc. will be able to assist new and existing employers in their efforts to get more high school students interested in high-paying, advanced manufacturing careers and the technical college training programs which will prepare them to enter into employment in the manufacturing sector. This goal will be achieved by the promotion of Gold Collar Careers through partnership development with key Gold Collar stakeholders. The Gold Collar Careers initiative is valued in the region and supported by many employers in this sector.

 

Additionally, NWWIB, Inc. will begin exploring the development and partnerships that could create more opportunities for other industry sectors. For more information about NWWIB, Inc. and its sector initiatives, please visit www.nwwib.com. For more information on Gold Collar Careers, visit www.goldcollarcareers.com.

2012 Business of the Year Award:

Nexen Group, Inc.

 

 

Left to right: LeRoy Forslund (NWWIB Chairperson), Dan Conroy (Operations Manager & Vice President of Human Resources), & Mari Kay-Nabozny (NWWIB CEO).

Nexen Group, Inc. was recently awarded Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc.'s 2012 Business of the Year Award. Dan Conroy, Operations Manager & Vice President of Human Resources at Nexen's facility in Webster, WI, accepted the award on Thursday, May 10th, from NWWIB's Chairperson, LeRoy Forslund. The award was given at the 10th annual Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Conference at the AmericInn Hotel and Convention Center, Ashland, WI. NWWIB gives this award to recognize outstanding business achievements in the northwest Wisconsin region.

 

Nexen Group, Inc. has achieved success in its industry through continual improvement by utilizing lean principles and investing in its facility, its people, and its community. The company has made investments in new equipment at the Webster facility along with supporting its 90 employees by providing an innovative environment and lean methods to enhance productivity, increase production, and reduce turnover. Employees are exceptionally active in their community, volunteering on school boards, fire departments, church boards, veterans groups, coaching youth athletics, and more. Nexen Group, Inc. reaches out into the community through United Way Programs in Burnett and Washburn counties and has raised $600,000 for this organization over 17 years.

 

"The reason we like being a community neighbor is that this is a great place to do business," said Conroy. "There are great people in northwest Wisconsin. That's why we're successful. It's not so hard to do this when we live in a good area like we do. It's how we live our lives."


Nexen Group, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of precision motion control components, power transmission and web tension control products for a wide array of industrial applications. Products include high precision linear and rotary systems, linear locking components, pneumatic brakes and clutches, torque limiters and electronic tension controls. Nexen customers span every industry including aerospace, robotics, machine tool, automotive, factory automation, packaging and material handling.

 

NWWIB has partnered with Fox Valley Workforce Development Board and North Central Workforce Development Board to aid in healthcare workforce training after receiving a $4.8 million technical skills training grant from the Department of Labor. The mission of the Health Career and Regional Employment (CARE) Project is to supply employers in the healthcare industry the highly skilled and competent workforce required to fill current and projected job openings. The project will specifically support On-the-Job Training (OJT) in healthcare occupations. The CARE Project will run over a 48 month period and cover 26 counties throughout northern, central, and eastern parts of Wisconsin.

 

"This is a great project for both employers, job seekers, and healthcare training program graduates," said Melissa Burris, HealthCARE Project Liaison. "Employers are able to train new employees while having a percentage of the employee's wage reimbursed, and new employees will benefit from being trained on site with their colleagues."

 

CARE Project employers commit to hiring OJT participants on the first day training begins. The size of the healthcare employer will determine the wage reimbursement percentage. Depending on size, employers can receive 50-90% wage reimbursement for hiring eligible CARE OJT participants. Employers will work with a CARE Project Manager to assess if an eligible participant is the right fit for their company and to ensure that the OJT plan is successfully completed. Healthcare occupations that qualify for CARE OJT reimbursement include Medical & Health Services Managers, Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists, Healthcare Practitioners, Technical Workers, Podiatric Technicians, Traditional Chinese Herbalists, and Midwives.

 

For more information, visit NWWIB's website or contact Pamela Hayes at 715-682-9141 or [email protected]

 
Blue CEP logo
Northwest Wisconsin CEP, Inc. reorganizes to offset budget cuts, keep focus on services

Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program, Inc.'s (CEP, Inc.'s) board voted to adopt a reorganization plan presented by administrators to brace for budget cuts to its ten county region moving into the next fiscal year.

Since 2005, CEP, Inc. has weathered a 33% reduction in federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding. Another 8% cut to federal job training funds is slated for 2013. In response, CEP, Inc. has created a new service model that will not only minimize costs, but it will allow staff to improve overall quality of service to both employers and job seekers; along with better aligning resources with the goals and objectives of the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc., CEP, Inc.'s oversight agent.


Key to the new service delivery model is the shift to an amended community one-stop system. The reorganization will give employers and job seekers continued access to job training funding workforce development services. CEP, Inc. is the leading local organization that provides employment and training services for businesses and job seekers in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer, Taylor, Rusk, and Washburn Counties.

Beginning July 1st, CEP, Inc. will have five regional offices that also serve as Job Center access points, located in Ashland, Park Falls, Phillips, Spooner, and Superior. Offices  in the communities of Hayward, Ladysmith, and Medford will transition from permanent Job Center locations to itinerant hours at educational partners' facilities. After transition, the current Job Centers in those communities will be closed and itinerant office hours will be posted. Additional efforts to reduce the budget shortfall include increased fund raising measures, utilizing established partnership relationships, and ongoing review of other cost-saving measures.

"We will be making some adjustments to our current staffing structure which will unfortunately include staffing level considerations after we complete the reorganization. Across the country other workforce agencies are also facing tough choices; each budget adjustment was made in the best interest of our communities and customers and in an effort to ensure that services will affected as little as possible." said CEP, Inc. Chief Operating Officer, Bradford Gingras. "I cannot express enough gratitude to our employees for their service and dedication to CEP, Inc. and the people that they have served. This is a difficult time, and we're doing everything possible to provide support for our staff and communities, to minimize any disruption and to ensure CEP can focus on serving job seekers and employers."

The reorganization supports the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc.'s strategic plan and goals. Through
the creation of cross-functional teams, CEP, Inc. will be able to meet and exceed NWWIB's goals and objectives for the region's workforce. Essential to the reorganizing is the creation of the Industry & Targeted Populations Specialist positions, who will deliver additional WIA and grant funded trainings that will expand and sustain funding streams, as well as meeting the challenges faced by employers.

For more information about CEP, Inc.'s reorganization, please contact Bradford Gingras, Chief Operating Officer, at 715-682-9141 or
.  

First in Training Solutions 

 

Charlie Glazman, Associate Dean of Continuing Education

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

 
Many organizations worry about the cost, lost time, and return on investment when it comes to customized instruction; but studies increasingly demonstrate that those organizations that do invest in customized instruction have better employees, motivated workers, and are more profitable.

 

Training improves employee performance. Studies have shown that worker performance problems occur because workers do not know what they should be doing, do not know how to do their jobs, and do not know why they should be doing their jobs. Customized training increases quality, speed, safety, attitude, motivation, and communication.  Concentrated instructional programs for workers answer basic questions and give increased confidence to those involved.

 

Training enhances company profits. New methods of doing business, like Lean manufacturing or Lean office practices, new technology and computer applications, and new methods of advertising and communication demand training for employees. Utilizing these new methods of communication and business practices has conclusively demonstrated increased revenues, lowered the cost of doing business and increased the bottom line. Customized instruction increases sales, improved customer satisfaction, and employee retention.

 

Training saves labor and money. Skilled and knowledgeable workers take less time in setup, fewer machine breakdowns, reduced downtime, and increased productivity. It saves money by reducing duplication of effort, and time spent on solving problems and correcting mistakes.

 

Training increases worker productivity. Learning new methods of work can increase the productivity of workers, and potentially, less need for supervision. Utilizing newer technology and having the knowledge of optimizing that technology will make work more effective and efficient.

 

Training improves employee satisfaction and retention. A Louis Harris & Associates poll reports that in companies with little or no training opportunities, 41 percent of current employees planned to leave within a year, where other companies offering training opportunities, only 12 percent were planning on leaving. Career development is one of the major retention factors among most employees.

 

Training improves an organization's competitive edge. "Human capital of employees is a major asset of any organization, but it is also a depreciating asset that needs continuing improvement," according to Nobel Laureate Gary Becker, professor of economics and sociology at the University of Chicago. Investing in one's workers gives the competitive edge over the competition. It is a "win-win" for the company and the employee alike.

 

WITC is proud to offer area businesses and industry a customized training experience tailored to their specific needs and scheduled to fit almost any timeline. Instructional programs are available at any of our campuses or can be held at almost any other location.

 

provides a return on investment to constituent companies, nonprofits, governmental agencies, and businesses when it comes to customized training and instruction; and that is why we are "first in training solutions". 
FOLLOW US!

 

Follow us on TwitterFind us on FacebookView our videos on YouTubeView our profile on LinkedIn

GET THE LATEST:

WFC Logo 

Workforce Development Area #7 Regional Economic Data Summary!

View the Report
In This Issue
NWWIB awarded $22,500 Industry Sectors Convening Grant
2012 Business of the Year Award
HealthCARE On-The-Job Training Grant Underway!
Northwest Wisconsin CEP, Inc. reorganizes to offset budget cuts, keep focus on services
First in Training Solutions
April 2012 Unemployment Data
Crex Meadows Kicking off Summer Sessions
Regional Business Idea Contest!
Business Conference Wrap Up

April 2012 Data

For Wisconsin and the U.S. (Latest Numbers for Wisconsin and the U.S. are Seasonally Adjusted)

 

Unemployment Rate

NW WI: 8.3%

WI: 6.7%

US: 8.1%

 

Civilian Labor Force

NW WI:89,209

WI: 3,068,900

US: 154,365,000 

 

Number Employed

NW WI:81,784

WI: 2,863,590

US: 141,865,00 

 

Number Unemployed

NW WI: 7,425

WI: 205,310

US: 12,500,000

 

*NOTE THAT NW WI NUMBERS ARE NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

Northwest Wisconsin's Unemployment Numbers & Rates 

 

DWD has released the April 2012 Unemployment numbers and rates: Here is how northwest Wisconsin fared in unemployed percentage and each county's rank of the worst rates among the 72 WI counties.

 

Ashland: 9.5% Rank 10/72
Bayfield: 11.3% Rank 4/72
Burnett: 8.4% 18/72
Douglas: 6% Rank 54/72
Iron: 12.8% Rank 2/72
Price: 7.2% Rank 33/72
Rusk: 9.3% Rank 11/72
Sawyer: 10.5% Rank 5/72
Taylor: 8.1% Rank 20/72
Washburn: 8% Rank 23/72 

Crex Meadows Kicking off Summer Sessions!

 

 

Summer is finally here in the northland! And, with this season comes employment opportunities for regional youth. The Crex Meadows Youth Conservation Camp, located in Grantsburg, WI, is a very unique summer option for eligible teens from northwest Wisconsin. Over the past five years, applications for camp have steadily increased. This year, camp received its highest number of applications ever-125 applications for 76 available openings. Nearly every school within the ten county region the camp serves will be represented. 

 

Campers work with the DNR on a variety of projects at the 30,000-acre Crex Meadows Wildlife Area and Governor Knowles State Forest and are paid for their labor, which is an unusual feature for a summer camp and holds great interest for campers. In the past, campers have removed invasive plant species, performed native seed collection, built bridges to increase trail accessibility, and assisted in the entire Canadian Geese banding process.
 
"Last year, there was a severe wind storm in Grantsburg. The campers during one of the sessions worked on post-storm clean up, which was a great experience because the campers got to work and be involved in the community and with the community members," said Suzannah Crandall, Camp Director.

In addition to their work with the DNR, campers participate in a hands-on science and life-skill based curriculum. Some of the science activities have included plant and animal identification, radio telemetry and triangulation, and analyzing and examining water samples. Local school districts support the camp by rewarding the campers with science or elective credit that can be used towards high school graduation. A distinctive aspect of the camp curriculum is that it is delivered by people from different organizations, allowing campers to be exposed to a diverse wealth of knowledge.
 
For more information about Crex, visit www.nwcep.org or visit the Camp's Facebook Page!
Business Idea Contest! 
 
Do you have an idea for a technology related product or service that you would like to implement? Are you seeking financing and help to get started? If so, plan to enter your regional Business Idea Contest! The contest offers cash prizes and assistance from local county economic development corporations. For more information click here or download an application from www.bayfieldcountyedc.com. 

Business Conference Wrap Up

 

 

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2012 Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Conference! We couldn't have done it without our attendees, speakers, sponsors, and supporters.

 

Presentations and handouts from the conference are available on NWWIB's website. A conference photo album can be viewed on Facebook

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE? 

 

county unemployment rates

Are you interested in learning more about the 

economic and workforce status of your county?  You can view the Department of Workforce Development's County Workforce Profiles here.

Mari Kay-Nabozny

Chief Executive Officer NWWIB, Inc.