Workforce Development in Wisconsin WWDA Logo

July 2012
Vol 1, Issue 41

Greetings!

 

July 4th has come and gone, but there are no lazy hazy days of summer for WWDA and our partners!  Check out the Upcoming Events section for numerous workforce and economic development events scheduled throughout the upcoming months.

 

Many of the stories below celebrate the successes and efforts of the workforce boards across Wisconsin as we continue to work to get Wisconsinites to work and help businesses find solutions to their workforce needs! WWDA hopes that you find these articles and information helpful. You can view articles below or use the sidebar on the right to navigate to specific titles.  We welcome questions and encourage you to contact us at wwdainfo@gmail.com.

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WIA In-School Youth Program & Community Action Helps Youth Decide Career Path 

 

Vontasia Travis graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in June, 2012. Thanks to Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board's WIA In-School Youth program and Community Action, she knows where her occupational future lies. "I was looking at health care and customer service as possible career options, and I decided that health care was where I wanted to focus," she explained.

 

One of the first to complete the academic portion of her Fresh Start Program, Vontasia decided on health care because she said she likes to help others in need. She'll be attending Blackhawk Technical College this fall to earn her Medical Assistant certificate, combining her recently-learned computer skills with her health care interests. "She is a motivated young lady who is working hard to better herself and her family," said Nicole Ditzenberger, Vontasia's WIA Transition Coordinator at the Community Action Pathways Center.

 

In fact, Vontasia's family now includes a young daughter born only a few weeks ago to join her 11-month-old son. "Despite having family obligations, I really enjoyed the classes I took," Vontasia said. "Fortunately, they weren't as difficult as I thought they might be." The Community Action program which assists students in earning their certification in Microsoft Office through their Skills Enhancement program was an excellent fit for Vontasia early in her senior year at BMHS. When Ditzenberger started working closely with the South Central Area Health Education Center to bring the Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC) to those interested in health careers, Vontasia took full advantage. The YHSC explores health careers, teaches through service learning projects, and helps students acquire the skills necessary to become a competitive job candidate in the health care industry.

 

"I attended a Health Career Fair at Community Action and signed up for YHSC right away," Vontasia said. She toured schools, health care facilities and completed a service learning project about disabilities. In addition, she attended the Women's Health Care Policy Summit in Madison where she learned about health care issues facing women in Wisconsin. 

Keys to Work: Auto Loan & Repair Program for Low-Income Residents

 

Keys to Work, a program operated by the Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington (W-O-W) Workforce Development Board since 2005, serves eligible low-income residents in Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington Counties whose primary barrier to employment is transportation. Keys to Work provides loans for automobile purchases and repairs. Since the program's inception, Keys to Work has provided over 171 loans through the program's banking partner, First Federal Bank of Wisconsin.

 

Keys to Work provides loans up to $4,500 per participant, including tax, title, and license fees. Loans are provided at 0% interest with a set 27-month repayment plan of equal monthly installments not exceeding $167. Eligible participants must work a minimum of 30 hours per week, have been with their current employer for at least 3 months, and demonstrate the ability to assume additional debt. Approved program applicants are required to complete a no-cost financial literacy training program which teaches participants about budgeting and the importance of making payments on time. Participants are required to provide proof of insurance coverage before closing on the loan. Loan recipients are also eligible to receive a small repair grant which pays 50 (up to $500) of major repair costs over the life of the loan, contingent upon the participant making timely loan payments.

 

In addition to the auto loan and small repair grant, Keys to Work provides an auto repair loan for eligible applicants working at least 30 hours per week. Auto repair loans have a repayment period of 12 months and cannot exceed $1,200. This loan is also 0% interest and requires the participant to go through a financial review and provide proof of insurance.

 

As a result of Keys to Work, participants have reported the ability to obtain higher paying jobs, receive increased wages at existing jobs, attend additional job training programs, keep their existing job, and/or eliminate the need to take costly taxicabs to and from work. Participants of the program typically would not be able to qualify for conventional financing due to poor credit or no credit history. Keys to Work participants establish a solid re-payment history which can increase their existing credit score by 30 to 60 points.

 

Keys to Work is funded through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation / Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program and integrates State and Federal funding sources into one coordinated program to help local areas address transportation needs for low-income workers. The W-O-W Workforce Development Board uses Keys to Work funding to guarantee the loans and make interest payments while participants pay down principal balances.

 

Applications for Keys to Work are currently being accepted and are available from the W-O-W Workforce Development Board (www.wowwdb.org / 262.695.7880).

Bay Area's Work Certified Training Classes Brings Success to a Youth 

 

Bay Area Workforce Development Board's service provider in the Sheboygan Job Center holds Work Certified training classes. Work Certified is a 90 hour employment skills training program that is offered in the Bay Area job centers. Bill, who participated in the training, was a low income Older Youth with a felony conviction. His TABE test showed basic skills deficiencies.The WIA case manager was working on setting up a paid work experience for Bill, however, another felony charge put an end to that plan. The case manager lost contact with Bill for several weeks but was able to reestablish contact through Bill's father. 

 

The case manager managed to set up an arrangement with the Huber Law Officer at the county jail and a Lakeshore Technical College instructor employed by the jail worked with Bill on his reading and math skills during his several months of incarceration. Bill was eventually released on time served with probation and the case manager re-established contact. Bill got a job at a local cheese company and also tested above 9th grade in a re-take of the TABE test. The outcome for Bill was extremely positive and there were positive exits both in employment and literacy/numeracy gains because of the persistence of the WIA case manager and the strong partnerships with the technical college and the county jail staff.

In This Issue
WIA In-School Youth & Community Action Helps Youth
Keys to Work
Bay Area's Work Certified Training Classes
Why Workforce Investment?
Quick Links & Resources
UPCOMING WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EVENTSevents
Calendar

JOB FAIRS  

   

Veterans Career and Benefit Fair, July 12

Milwaukee

  9 am - 3 pm
Location: Milwaukee County WAR Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee
Contact: Stan Kogutkiewicz, 262/695-7790, or Greg Williams, 414/389-6293.    

 

Veterans Only Job Fair, July 18

Kenosha
** This event is limited to veterans **

  Location: Gateway Technical College, Madrigrano Auditorium, 3520 30th Ave., Kenosha
Contact: Jerry Costello, 262/697-4707.    

 

Veteran Career and Benefit Fair, August 16

Watertown

  10 am - 3 pm
Location: Madison Area Technical College, 1300 W. Main St., Watertown
Contact: Michael Beck, 608/242-4910, or Stan Kogutkiewicz, 262/695-7790

 

Jefferson Job Fair, August 17

Jefferson 

 10 am - 2 pm
Location: Workforce Development Center of Jefferson County, 874 Collins Rd., Jefferson
Contact: Katrina Kufrin, 920/674-8779   

 

Veteran Career and Benefit Fair,  September 7

Fort McCoy  

Location: Wisconsin Military Academy, Fort McCoy
Contact: Rickie Larson, 608/785-9376, or Vern Tranberg, 608/785-9363.   

 

Dane County Job Fair, September 12

Madison

 10 am - 3 pm
Location: Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison
Contact: Therus Collins, 608/242-4884.   

 

Kenosha County Job Fair, September 19

Bristol

12:30-3:30 pm
Location: Kenosha County Center, 19600 75th St., Bristol
Contact: Rebecca Freund, 262/697-4610.  

       

Fall 2012 Health Care Career Fair, Appleton   

Date/time: Monday, October 15, 11 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 N. Bluemound Dr., Appleton
Contact: Sarah Kriha, 920/424-2181.

 

UPCOMING WEDA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE

 

Wisconsin Basic Economic Development Course September 10 - 13, 2012  Pyle Center, UW-Madison   Madison, WI 


Who Should Attend?
Economic developers, public officials, and others involved in economic development who want and intensive "basic" overview of economic development concepts, methods, strategies and practices. 

What will be covered:
  • What is economic development and what is the role of an economic developer.
  • Managing a local economic development organization.
  • Growing from within - small business development & entrepreneurship.
  • Marketing & attraction
  • Community & neighborhood development
  • Strategic planning for economic development
  • Workforce Development
  • Business Finance
  • Real estate development & reuse
Register Today! More Information and Registration
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.
Mari Kay
Wisconsin Workforce Development Association

 

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