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North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board
WDA 6 - Workforce News Bulletin
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Randall Sommerio was dislocated from his local hardware store when the economic downfall forced it to permanently close. He became a stay-at-home parent while his wife worked. Living on one income soon proved to be too difficult so he decided to go back to school. Randall's first stop was at Veterans Services to discuss what education benefits he might be eligible for. When the Veterans Service Officer asked him if he liked to weld, Randall shook his head no, but inside his head, he was thinking YES! Read Randall's story HERE. |
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 WDA 6 - Monthly Workforce News Bulletin
Welcome to the North Central WI Workforce Development Board's March - 2012 issue of Workforce News Bulletin. Inside Issue:
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NCWWDB's Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Program Coordinator Awards First Ticket to Work Certificate
After more than two decades of health and personal tragedies, Beth Plante has put her life back on track again. In 1990, Beth was diagnosed with a degenerative back disease which only complicated her life as she also struggled with a learning disorder that went undiagnosed until late in her teenage years. Because of her ailing health she applied and began getting Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. In the years that followed Beth says she became depressed, couldn't find work, and had periods of homelessness.
As time passed, Beth began missing working and the sense of accomplishment that it brought. So the timing was perfect when she met with Patty Branton, her local Disability Resource Coordinator and received information on Social Security's Ticket to Work program. Read more about Beth and the program that's helping her HERE.
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Food Manufacturing Science Program Boosts Local Economy - A south Wood County initiative is successfully continuing to boost the local economy by providing potential workers with the skills and training they need to re-enter and advance in the local labor market. Partners in this initiative are the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (NCWWDB); Workforce Central Funders Collaborative; the Labor, Education and Training Center (LETC); Incourage Community Foundation; Mid-State Technical College; and Workforce Central Manufacturing Partnership.
In round one of the pilot training program, 16 trainees earned their FMSC. Twelve of these 16 have already obtained jobs with an average pay of $14.64 per hour. Round two, consisting of 12 new trainees, is currently underway. Watch for future Workforce News Bulletin issues to feature profiles of recent FMSC graduates. Read more HERE. Back to top
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 Wausau Paper Transition Center in Merrill is now open for Workers Dislocated from Brokaw Mill - The new Wausau Paper Transition Center Center, at 401 West Main in Merrill, officially opened its doors on March 6th.
Walk-in and self-service use is available only to the Brokaw mill dislocated workers. The new center is open each week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, offering computers with Internet access and meeting space. Individual assistance services, available by appointment are: assessment, intake and registration for the Dislocated Worker Program, resume development, and mock interviews. The center is staffed by Labor, Education and Training Center (LETC) staff. To make an appointment with a LETC employment specialist call the center at 715-536-1359 on days the center is scheduled to be open.
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 Wausau Area Spring Job Fair Hosted by DWD & Congressman Duffy - This spring's Job Fair event will be held on April 10, 2012, from 9 am - 2 pm, at Northcentral Technical College,1000 West Campus Drive in Wausau. Last fall's event had 100 employers who were looking to hire, and it's expected the Job Fair planned for this April will be even bigger. Admission is free. To attend, job seekers can simply complete and submit this form. This will help Job Fair staff prepare your Job Fair packet for you ahead of time.
And, be sure to check out the Job Fair tips on the Job Center of Wisconsin's website to help you get fully prepared for the event. Employers, click here to reserve your space for the Wausau Job Fair. For more information contact: Gary Albrecht, at 715-261-726.
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 Plumbing Trade is "Greened" Through SAGE Grant - DWD recently announced the Plumbing trade was "greened" by the Sector Alliance for the Green Economy (SAGE) grant. Throughout NCWWDB's nine-county region, several groups of apprentices and journey workers will benefit from the "greening" of their trade by receiving financial assistance up to $1,800 in both training assistance and support services. Training assistance could consist of payment of tuition and books, trade-related equipment and supplies, required clothing or safety equipment. Support services assistance may aid the apprentices or journey workers with mileage reimbursement, payment for child care, or other miscellaneous expenses such as automobile repair.
To learn more about SAGE and the benefit to the trades you can contact NCWWDB's Sustainability Coordinator, Diane Weiler at
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 NCWWDB Promotes Soft Skills, Confidence
By: NCWWDB, Workforce Services Director, Jane Spencer As a follow up to NCWWDB Business Services Director, Bruce Trimble's article in February on the current skill gaps as reported from local employers, I felt the need to also remind everyone about the Employability Skills Certificate (ESC). NCWWDB continues to address the lack of soft skills in our workforce by promoting the ESC to employers and our workforce partners.
Through the WIA program, youth are placed in a paid work experience where the worksite mentor implements a pre and post test of basic skills including reading, writing, grammar, and math. The soft skills assessed include communication, a positive work ethic including punctuality, good attendance and high productivity; and soft skills related to courtesy, ability to work in a team and take direction. The program asks employers to evaluate youth in personal/interpersonal skills, thinking/information processing skills, and systems/technology skills. Read entire ESC article HERE.
For more information regarding the Employability Skills Certificate Program contact NCWWDB's Workforce Services Director, Jane Spencer at jspencer@ncwwdb.org or 715-422-4701. Back to top
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 Youth Job Center Open House/Resource Fair - NCWWDB in collaboration with its WIA Youth-contracted provider, CESA 5, will host a Youth Open House and Resource Fair on April 25, 2012, from 2:30 - 4:30 pm, at the Wisconsin Rapids Job Center. With the current unemployment rate, and older adults working in positions traditionally occupied by youth, it is even more important that youth are aware of the job search resources available to them at their local Job Center. The open house will be open to all youth in the south Wood County area between the ages of 14-19. In addition to job search assistance, workshops related to soft skills, social media, and financial education will be offered throughout the event. Tours of the Job Center will be provided along with demonstrations of the Job Center of Wisconsin and other job search tools and resources. Download a flyer HERE.
This event is funded by a grant from the South Wood County Teen Leadership, a program of Incourage Community Foundation.
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WDA 6
Statistics Report
January 2012
January 2012 Wisconsin unemployment rate
7.6% (unadjusted)
6.9% (seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 Unemployment rate for our nine-county NCWWDB area:
8.6% (unadjusted)
the highest being Vilas with 12.2% unemployment
(5th highest in the state)
and the lowest being
Portage with 7.3%
(50th highest in the state)
4 of our counties Vilas, Adams, Forest and Oneida were in the top 10 for highest unemployment rates in January of 2012.
WorkNET & DWD
There was 1 *WARN notice given in WDA 6 during the period of
January 1, 2012 thru
February 27, 2012.
*WARN is a required communication for those employers with 50 or more employees. Employers with fewer than 50 employees may have laid people off during this time. |
WIA
Training Report
Program Year 2011
From July 1, 2011 to March 9, 2012, NCWWDB served 245 Youth, 287 Adults, and 1090 Dislocated Workers in WIA Title 1- funded programs.
Special Training Projects
 | | Courage Never Quits |
Video features Tom Halseth a recent Food Manufacturing Science Certificate graduate now employed at Mariani Packing Company in Wisconsin Rapids
Video courtesy of Incourage Community Foundation
- 18 participants completed the first Food Manufacturing Science Certificate (FMSC) course at MSTC
- 12 participants are currently attending the second FMSC course at MSTC
- 8 participants graduated from the first Machine Tool training at NTC
- 11 participants are currently attending a second round of Machine Tool at NTC
- 12 participants graduated from the first Production Welding course at NTC
- 12 participants are curently attending the second Production Welding course at NTC
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WDA 6 Job Center
Workshops Calendar
Check out what's being offered FREE in your local Wisconsin Job Center!
Click here to view calendar
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Spring Job Fairs
Wausau Area Job Fair
PAW Central WI Job Fair
Wednesday, April 25
10 am - 2 pm
Mid-State Technical College 500 32nd Street North Wisconsin Rapids
Contact: Corey Anfinson
at 715-422-5018
Antigo Job Fair
Wednesday, May 23
10 am - 3 pm
Northcentral Technical College - Antigo Campus
312 Forrest Avenue Antigo
Contact: Antigo campus at 715-623-7601
Conferences
NAWDP's
2012 Annual Conference
Over 600 Workforce Development Professionals from across the nation are expected to attend this annual conference.
South Point Hotel
9777 Las Vegas Blvd S.
Las Vegas, NV 89183
Please contact the hotel directly at 866-791-7626 and request the group rates for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals or simply click HERE.
Cutoff date for the special rate is April 14, 2012.
Click HERE for more information or to register.
Free Workshop
 Mental Health @ Work
The Competitive Advantage
A training resource for managing mental health
in the workplace.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Jefferson Street Inn
201 Jefferson Street
Wausau, WI 54403
RSVP to Peggy Bortz at
pbortz@ncwwdb.org
or 715-422-4705
Download flyer here
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WDA 6
Job Center usage report reflects measured statistics comprised of the total number of clients utilizing the resources and core services available at the Adams; Antigo; Marshfield; Rhinelander; Wausau;
and Wisconsin Rapids
Job Centers each month.
February 2012:
- Total Clients - 5,038
- New Clients - 442
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Agency Visit - 1,263
(e.g. W2, WIA, etc.)
- Military Vet/Eligible Spouse - 273
- Job Search JCW - 1,923
- Resume/cover letter - 29
- Job Search other - 409
- Career Exploration - 175
* Depending on the number of services utilized per visit, clients may be included in
more than one measure.
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Recruitment & Retention Tools for Employers |
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Job Center of Wisconsin
Connecting WI Workforce
Convenient. Fast. Free.
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