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North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board
WDA 6 - Workforce News Bulletin
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In previous issues of this bulletin, you've read about our efforts to transform delivery of short-term training to dislocated workers and other jobseekers, particularly those interested in manufacturing careers such as machine tool and welding. We've shared numerous "success stories" of participants graduating from these new training programs. And, we're happy to report, most have gained employment with manufacturers in our region. But, too often we fail to acknowledge the efforts of the "other side" in our dual customer, workforce development system "the employer". Click HERE to gain insight into the "employer side" of the unique training programs we deliver. |
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Welcome to the North Central WI Workforce Development Board's October - 2012 issue of Workforce News Bulletin.
In This Issue:
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  NCWWDB Announces New Offender Reentry Program Coach - Dawn Smack has been hired as the new Windows to Work (W2W) Reentry Coach. In her position, Smack will be responsible for program coordination of the W2W Offender Reentry Program. This is a pilot program designed to help offenders successfully transition from incarceration back into their communities. The main focus of the program is to help reduce recidivism. As the W2W Reentry Coach, Smack will be collaborating with the Department of Correction's Probation and Parole staff, the local Job Center, and the Wood County Jail. She will work with clients six to nine months prior to them being released into Wood County. Follow up services are provided up to a year after their release. Client services include release planning, employability skills training, budgeting and money management, interpersonal and social skills training, setting and obtaining goals, and assistance with housing. Smack replaces Angela Okon, who left in September to accept a position working as employment program coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Back to top For more information about NCWWDB's Windows to Work, Offender Reentry Program, call Dawn Smack at 715-459-2548 or email at: dsmack@ncwwdb.org. Windows to Work is a partnership between NCWWDB, the Wood County Jail, Department of Correction's Probation and Parole, Wood County Jail, and the Wisconsin Rapids Job Center. |
 Wausau Job Fair Connects Teens with Companies - More than 100 teenagers and young adults had the chance to scope out companies looking for seasonal workers this holiday season.
Forward Service Corporation's WIA - Youth Program held a seasonal job fair at the Marathon Co. Job Center in which area youth met with representatives from local companies.
Serena Adler, the WIA youth team leader, said the idea for the job fair came from an open house the Job Center held last year and from conversations with representatives from local businesses, some of whom said they were having trouble finding temporary and seasonal workers.
"They get work experience, even if it's just for a couple of months, and they can get some extra cash for the holidays," Adler said. And, the advantage of holding the event at the Job Center was the availability of computers. Some teenagers don't have ready access to computers, but still need to fill out applications online.
Click HERE to view event photos and to read an article submitted by WIA - Youth Case Manager, David Cha. Back to top
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 Why Unemployment Numbers Keep Changing - As NCWWDB gets more and more requests for labor market data and projections, a number of questions surrounding that information have been asked. I'll answer the most common ones first. The most often asked question relates to the unemployment numbers, specifically why do they seem to change. The first unemployment numbers reported for a time period are generally the unadjusted figures. These numbers are raw data, taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey of 60,000 households. Those first numbers are not seasonally adjusted and are really of limited relevance when comparing unemployment from quarter to quarter...read entire article HERE. Back to top For more information about NCWWDB's Employer Services, call Bruce Trimble at 715-204-1647 or email at: btrimble@ncwwdb.org. |
Did You Know - Workplace Inclusion is Good for Business?
What's the third largest market segment in the United States? The answer might surprise you. It's not a particular race, gender, or age group. It's people with disabilities. The size of this population-54 million strong-surpasses Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans, as well as Generation X and teens. Add in their families, friends, and associates, and you get a trillion dollars in purchasing power.
Want a slice? Any smart business owner would. As with any customer segment, one of the best ways to tap into the disability market is to ensure it is represented in your workforce. Employees with disabilities can help businesses understand and meet the needs of this important and ...read the rest of the article HERE. Back to top
For more information about NCWWDB's Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) program contact Disability Resource Coordinator, Patty Branton at
715-347-3537 or email at: pbranton@ncwwdb.org. NCWWDB's DEI program is helping people with disabilities solve the employment puzzle.
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 Career Spotlight - Welder's Profile - In this month's Career Spotlight, we profile the welding profession. Click HERE to view the profile. I would like to point out a couple of interesting demographic statistics in the profile. First, 43% of welders are age 45 or older. That means, in the next 20 years, almost half of our area's welders will be of retirement age. While projections indicate modest growth of the industry, the numbers of current positions that will become vacant due to retirement are not included in this estimate. The second noteworthy demographic statistic in this profile is the educational attainment levels of welders. National statistics indicate that 74% of welders have a high school diploma or less education. Taken at face value, one might assume that welding is a low skilled job, and that one needs no training to enter into this field. This couldn't be further from the truth. While the 43% of older workers likely benefited from on-the-job training throughout their career when technology played a more limited role in the workplace, that is not the case today. Today's manufacturers are expecting new hires to come equipped with the skills necessary to work effectively in today's new high-skilled, high-tech world of manufacturing. The industry is depending on workers increasing their skill level to keep up with the ever-changing demands of customers around the world. Next month we will begin to explore occupations in the Health Care industry, beginning with Registered Nurses. Stay tuned. Back to top For more information on labor market and workforce data contact Ali Konkel at 715-204-1648 or email at: akonkel@ncwwdb.org. |
"Be Bold 2" Study Released - ManpowerGroup and Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., recently published "Be Bold 2: Growing Wisconsin's Talent Pool," a report that contains recommendations on how Wisconsin business, government, and academic leaders can work together to decrease the skills gap and build a globally competitive workforce.
The report makes a series of recommendations based on current and projected labor supply shortfalls in five critical skill clusters: Systems and Network Software Development, Accounting and Financial Analysis, Nursing and Health Related Professions, Mechanical Engineering, and Metal Manufacturing. The recommendations are ...click HERE to read the entire article. Back to top |
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WDA 6
Statistics Report
September 2012
The September 2012 unemployment rate in Wisconsin was 7.3%.
All counties in the NCWWDB region are reporting lower unemployment rates than they did in September 2011. The most significant decreases were seen by Lincoln Co. (down 1.1%) & Langlade Co. (down.9%).
No counties have unemployment rates over 9%. However, Lincoln & Adams counties have the 3rd & 4th highest rates in the state this month. Portage County's rate is lowest in the area at 5.6%.
There were 3 *WARN notices given in WDA 6 during the period of
January 1, 2012 thru
October 10, 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 2012
From July 1, 2012 to October 19, 2012, NCWWDB served 169 Youth, 176 Adults, and 1,063 Dislocated Workers in WIA Title 1 funded programs.
Special Training Projects:
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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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Conferences
NAWDP
Youth Symposium
2012 NAWDP Youth Development Symposium Crowne Plaza
Chicago O'Hare Hotel November 14-15, 2012
Pre-conference sessions will be held on November 13th. Over 550 participants from across the nation are expected to attend the 2012 Youth Symposium. In addition to the outstanding pre-conference workshops with Jodi Sue Kelly and Eric Rowles being offered at the 2012 Youth Development Symposium, the event also highlights two passionate and insightful plenary speakers. Seeing...and Hearing...is Believing!
Register HERE
2013 - WEDA's Governor's Conference on Economic Development
Moving Wisconsin Forward, February 6 - 8, 2013
Monona Terrace Convention & Community Center, Madison, WI
Mark Your Calendars! Registration and Agenda available November 15
2013 Keynote Session: Economic Development Trends, Challenges, and Strategies-What the Future Holds for Wisconsin
Dr. Perryman - President/CEO The Perryman Group
Economic Development Firm
Careers Conference 2013
Announcing the 27th annual CAREERS CONFERENCE 2013 January 28-30, 2013
The Concourse Hotel & Governor's Club
Madison, Wisconsin,
SAVE THE DATE!
The Careers Conference is hosted by the Center on Education and Work, part of the School of Education at UW Madison. The Careers Conference 2013 promises to deliver the best in quality professional development. Check back regularly for conference updates.
Early registration deadline is December 3, 2012.
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| Job Center
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; Marshfield; Rhinelander; Wausau; & Wis. Rapids
Job Centers each month.
September 2012:
- Total Clients - 3,418
- New Clients - 328
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Agency Visit - 998
(e.g. W2, WIA, etc.)
- Military Vet/Eligible Spouse - 185
- Job Search JCW - 1,470
- Resume/cover letter - 16
- Job Search other - 316
- Career Exploration - 92
* 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
Convenient. Fast. Free.
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