North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board 

WDA 6 - Workforce News Bulletin

Stephanie Braaksma
Most of Stephanie Braaksma's past work experience was bartending at local bars. It meant a lot of nights at work, crazy hours, and out-of-control people. The night life was not good for her. Stephanie found it hard to find jobs with only bartending on her resume. She started school for IT, but life got in the way. Overwhelmed, she dropped out. Then she found herself incarcerated for an alcohol-related offense. It was while Stephanie was incarcerated that she learned about the Windows to Work Program (W2W) and started attending the workshops. With the guidance and support of her W2W Coach Dawn Smack, Stephanie reports, "I am a happier, more secure person now. I learned to believe in myself and my abilities. I had to decide for myself that I wanted to change my life, mostly for my own well-being but also to provide a better example to my family. I had to find new friends to escape old habits. I didn't want to end up in prison." Read Stephanie's story HERE.
Welcome to the North Central WI Workforce Development Board's Happenings throughout WDA 6 during October & November of 2013. 
In This Issue:    
staff
 Seasons Greetings from the Staff of the 
North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board
 
Staff Photo - 2013
Seated in front (left to right) are: Bruce Trimble, Judy Winkler, Jane Spencer, & John Cokl. Standing in back (left to right) are: Patty Branton, Diane Weiler, Peggy Bortz, Rene Daniels, Ali Konkel, Dawn Smack, & Kaying Her.
 

Tom Walsh
Updated "Livable Wage" 
By: Tom Walsh, Economist, DWD - Office of Economic AdvisorsWalsh  
Workforce and economic development efforts often focus on developing jobs or placing workers in positions that pay at least adequate wages. While specific income needs vary among individuals, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) county-level fair market rent levels can be used to estimate a rough measure of adequate wages. The "livable wage" estimates provide a threshold that can be used when developing, implementing, and tracking initiatives that focus on wages that allow workers to meet basic financial needs without additional assistance.
     The estimated livable wage threshold for Wisconsin is just over $30,000 per year or about $14.50 per hour for a full time worker (40 hours per week). The livable wage estimate does not necessarily represent a comfortable wage, but it provides an easy-to-update metric for projects and programs that focus on well-paying jobs.
     Estimates were calculated using HUD county-level fair market rent levels and rental assistance guidelines. HUD publishes annual Fair Market Rent (FMR) estimates for every U.S. County and uses 30% of gross income as a guideline for rental assistance programs. Monthly rent for each county is determined using HUD's FMR estimate for a two bedroom apartment. See entire article HERE. Back to top
     Tom Walsh is the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's (DWD's) North Central WI Regional Economist. DWD's Office of Economic Advisors is charged with assisting all interested parties in better understanding their local economies. 
 

Domtar Sign
Dislocated Domtar Workers Surveyed
Submitted by Ali Konkeldomtar
A new survey will take a closer look at what has happened to the former employees of the Domtar paper mill and the community of Port Edwards in the six years since the mill's closure. The North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Institute on Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) and the Incourage Community Foundation, distributed about 500 surveys to workers who were employed at the Port Edwards mill at the time of its' closure in 2008. Designed by WIPPS, the survey asks a series of questions regarding engagement in re-employment services (through the Dislocated Worker Program), current and former wages, current job satisfaction, and overall well-being.
     Results from the survey will assist the Board and its contracted providers in ensuring that services are highly effective in meeting the needs of future dislocated workers. Results will be published in the spring of 2014. Back to top
     For more information contact NCWWDB's Planning Coordinator/Job Center Liaison, Ali Konkel at akonkel@ncwwdb.org or 715.204.1648.
 

Diane Weiler
North Central Wisconsin Healthcare Alliance off tohealthcare 
a Great Start! - On October 1, 2013, health care leaders from North Central Wisconsin met at Prevention Genetics 
in Marshfield to discuss furthering the mission of the North Central WI Healthcare Alliance.
     Recommendations were heard based on discussions from the steering committee meetings throughout the spring and summer. This included a defined charter of the Alliance and the formation of work groups defined by the discussions during the feasibility meeting in April and subsequent steering committee meetings. All recommendations presented during the meeting on October 1st were accepted and participants were eager to start working toward furthering Alliance goals. 
     "Our mission is to develop collaborative partnerships among workforce readiness, educational, and healthcare organizations, maximizing resources to create innovative solutions in pursuit of a sustainable healthcare workforce in North Central Wisconsin."
     The vision is "to be a committed alliance, fostering the ongoing regional availability of a skilled healthcare workforce." 
     The North Central Wisconsin Healthcare Alliance serves the counties of Adams, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas and Wood. Back to top
     If you would like more information about the North Central Wisconsin Healthcare Alliance, contact NCWWDB's Special Project Manager Diane Weiler, at 715-204-1644 or dweiler@ncwwdb.org.  
 

Bruce Trimble
     Another project NCWWDB supports is the Central Wisconsin Metal Manufacturers Alliance (CWMMA), a group of 20 + manufacturers in our area. These companies are focused on increasing an employee pipeline to their industry by promoting interest in the trade. Currently, CWMMA is involved in initiatives to help fund training programs, expand the Virtual Reality Welding Competition, plan a winter event to spark interest in the organization, and continue to sponsor "Heavy Metal Tours".
     NCWWDB is also in the process of completing a survey of regional diesel technician employers and heavy truck companies. We are looking to gain current data on the needs in this field both in hiring and training. While looking at these needs we will gain insight on how we can assist this industry in finding qualified technicians and drivers. We plan to have the data analyzed and a report available by the end of January. 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. 
 

Ali Konkel
New Computer Skills Assessment and Workshop Offered to Jobseekers - In acknowledgement of WI's Computer Science Education Week, NCWWDB and its Job Center partners recently announced that they are implementing new services to assist job seekers in assessing and improving their basic computer skills, as well as exposing them to careers in Information Technology.
     These new services were precipitated by two factors. First, the recent economic downturn and the unprecedented number of dislocated workers in the region resulted in an available labor pool with relatively limited computer skills. Second, computers have revolutionized the workplace, raising the skills requirements for most new jobs.
     The goal of the project is to ensure that all job seekers have the necessary skills to perform an online job search, apply for positions electronically, and possess the basic word processing skills necessary to compete for and retain employment. The lack of computer skills creates a significant barrier to employment and success in the workplace.
     The first step in the new service was to identify an effective computer skills assessment tool. After careful review, the Board chose to use the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment. Developed in 2010 by a collaboration of libraries, workforce partners, and educational institutions in the Twin Cities, the Assessment is designed to measure the computer skills of low skilled adults and dislocated workers. The Board became one of the first sponsored sites outside of Minnesota to use this tool.
     Job seekers interested in pursuing these new services can contact the Wisconsin Rapids Job Center at 715.422.5000 or the Marathon County Job Center at 715.261.8700. Read entire article HERE. Back to top
     For more information contact NCWWDB's Job Center Liaison Ali Konkel at 715.204.1648 or akonkel@ncwwdb.org.


DEI Program Did You Know bannerDid You Know: Assistive Technology in the Work Place is Smartdei Business? - Are you an employer, business, or HR representative seeking solutions and information about the use of Assistive Technology (AT) in the workplace? Are you looking for ideas and examples of how AT is used to create work environments that result in more productive employees? 
     What is Assistive Technology - Assistive Technology or "AT" encompasses all technology used by people with disabilities to perform daily tasks that would otherwise be difficult, inaccessible, or impossible. Assistive Technology is any piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functioning of individuals with disabilities.
     An Assistive Technology Service is any service that helps an individual to select, obtain or use an assistive technology device, such as assessing an employee's technology needs and customizing an Assistive Technology device.
    For more information on Assistive Technology in the workplace visit:
       For more information about NCWWDB's Disability Employment Initiative, call Patty Branton at 715-347-3537 or email her at: pbranton@ncwwdb.org. 
 
 
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WDA 6
Workforce Happenings 
for
October & November 2013

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statisticsWDA 6
Statistics Report
October 2013
The October 2013 unemployment rate in Wisconsin (not seasonably adjusted) was 5.7%. The rates for NCWWDA were 6.0%

Three counties in our region have unemployment rates among the top ten highest in the state. Forest and Adams are at 7.9% (5th highest in the state) and Vilas at 7.8% (7th highest in the state) Portage County has the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 4.9%

WorkNet & DWD  

Iron County's unemployment rate is the highest in the state at 12.1% while St. Croix County's rate of 3.8% makes it the states lowest.

Wisconsin Counties UI Rates Map   Wisconsin County UI Rates for October - 2013  

One Warn Notice has been issued for the NCWWDA area in 2013.

*WARN is a required communication for those employers with 100 or more employees.  Employers with fewer than 100 employees
may have laid people off
during this time.
 
trainingreport
WIA
Training Report 
Program Year 2013 
From July 1, 2013 to December 6, 2013, NCWWDB served 192 Youth, 196 Adults, and 787 Dislocated Workers in WIA Title 1 funded programs.
 
WIA Projects:
  • NCWWDB and its Dislocated Worker contracted provider, LETC, were recently awarded the NEG-WI-39 Training Grant. This $220,390.00 grant will serve 30 dislocated workers with credential-specific training services and/or OJT contracts until June 30, 2015.  
  • The NEG 33 On-the-Job-Training (OJT) grant has been extended until June 30, 2014. It is our goal to get at least two additional OJT contracts in place utilizing these funds.
 
WDA 6 Job Center 
Workshops Calendar 

 Job Center Resource Calendar

 Check out what's being offered FREE in your local Wisconsin Job Center!   

Click here to view calendar 

 
events
Conferences 
WEDA TOPIC
2014 
WEDA Governor's
Conference on Economic Development
 

February 11-13, 2014

Monona Terrace 

1 John Nolen Dr.

Madison, WI  53703

   Join WEDA for the 19th Annual Governor's Conference on Economic Development Feb. 11-13, 2014. This year's conference features speakers from around the state of Wisconsin and the nation to discuss why Wisconsin is leading, ramping up, or needing progress in:
  • Manufacturing
  • Water & Wisconsin
  • Workforce
  • International

 This is Wisconsin's premier networking event for anyone involved with economic development from the village to the state level. Register Today! Early Bird Rates end Jan. 12!

 Register for this event

 View Sessions

  

2014 

NAWDP Annual Conference

NAWDP Logo
May 4-6, 2014 

Sheraton Downtown Denver
1550 Court Place
Denver, CO 80202

Celebrate our rich past while learning about new trends, best practices, and how to position your workforce programs for future success. 

 

Top 5 Reasons Why YOU Should Attend this Event:  

1. Solutions-based workshops organized around YOUR top interest areas! 

 

2. Network with hundreds of workforce professionals who have similar interests and challenges as YOU!  

 

3. In depth pre-conference workshops with leading experts:
  • Living the Dream: Secrets to Starting and Running a Profitable Business Right Now Facilitated by Arel Moodie   
  • You Can Be a Change Agent: How to Increase Employment Motivation in the Hard-to-Employ  - Facilitated by Larry Robbin
4. Get the latest on what is happening on Capitol Hill and how it will impact YOUR local efforts! 


5. Top notch exhibits with solutions, advice, and resources to help YOUR program become even more productive!

 

Click below for more information on:

 Registration, Tentative Workshops, and General Information
 
jobcenterreportJob 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. 

 

October 2013:

  • Total Clients - 3,298
  • New Clients - 172

  • Agency Visit - 575

    (e.g. W2, WIA, etc.)

  • Military Vet/Eligible Spouse - 126
  • Job Search JCoW- 496
  • Resume Assist - 51
  • Job Search other - 305
  • Career Exploration- 48

November 2013:

  • Total Clients - 3,188
  • New Clients - 106

  • Agency Visit - 437

    (e.g. W2, WIA, etc.)

  • Military Vet/Eligible Spouse - 90
  • Job Search JCoW- 413
  • Resume Assist - 34
  • Job Search other - 258
  • Career Exploration- 38

* Depending on the number of services utilized per visit, clients may be included in 

more than one measure. 

 
What's New?
Staff from the Wisconsin Rapids Job Center will hold business hours at the Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point, 1001 Main Street, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 16th and 30th.
Individuals will have the opportunity to receive assistance in finding a job, creating a resume, writing a cover letter, or using JobCenterofWisconsin.com
To contact Portage County Library staff or to schedule an appointment, please call 
715-346-1544.
 

   

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