North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board 

WDA 6 - Workforce News Bulletin

Kim Johnson
Kim Johnson had been out of the traditional workforce since 1994, opting to be a stay-at-home mom and running an in-home daycare. Fast forward 15 years, Kim was ready for a career change and went to the Marathon County Job Center for help. There, she met with Forward Service Corporation's WIA Case Manager Anikka Wattnem who encouraged Kim to attend the Career Decisions program offered at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. Kim discovered a career in Information Technology was the perfect fit for her. Once enrolled, Kim excelled in her classes, honed her time management skills, and because many of her classes overlapped, wanted to expand her employment opportunities by going for a second associate degree. Living 24 miles from school, on a limited income, with four children and an unsupportive husband, added additional stress to Kim's already full plate. Life was hectic, but somehow Kim made it all seem easy. Read Kim's story HERE.
Welcome to the North Central WI Workforce Development Board's Happenings throughout WDA 6 during January & February of 2014. 
In This Issue:    

LouAnn Schulfer

Meet LouAnn Schulfer - NCWWDB Board Member Profile
Submitted by: LouAnn Schulfer, Co-owner, Schulfer &LouAnn Associates, LLC Financial Professionals. 
Having grown up in Central Wisconsin, our community is very dear to me. I was blessed to receive my education from our local schools and university, and feel honored to be a part of the business community that returns great services to the area. Independence has always been very important to me, and it was an honor to be asked to be a Board member for the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board.
     I began my vocation as an entrepreneur at age 24. My husband Gene and 
I purchased a struggling mini-warehousing facility in Stevens Point. We dedicated an enormous amount of time and initially, all of our personal resources to turn that business around. As the warehouses became profitable, we reinvested one step at a time by building more warehouses, buying duplexes, distressed single family homes, and commercial real estate. As we successfully bought, renovated, rented and sold our real estate, our peers frequently asked us for advice. Through this process, we discovered that we enjoyed advising and helping others become financially successful, and in 1999, officially entered financial services as our career path. 
     Today, Gene and I co-own Schulfer & Associates, LLC Financial Professionals in Stevens Point, WI, specializing in high level investment management and wealth planning. Read entire profile HERE. Back to top
Ruan Transport Job Fair
Mini Job Fair held for Ruan Transportation's Dislocated Workers - OnRuan February 15, 2014, NCWWDB's Dislocated Worker Program staff (LETC) and Board staff hosted a "mini job fair" at the Wisconsin Rapids Job Center for the workers recently dislocated from Ruan Transportation. These workers are experienced, skilled drivers and technicians with an average tenure of 17 years. They are specially trained in the transport of hazardous materials.
     The first re-employment strategy was to directly connect them to trucking companies in need of those kinds of workers. The job fair was attended by 28 workers and six transportation related employers. The job fair received excellent feedback from the employers and the attending jobseekers. 
     Ruan Transportation Management Systems will close its Wisconsin Rapids terminal in March of 2014, with an expected loss of 37 jobs.
     Ruan operates over 230 trucking locations throughout the country, and oversees transportation facilities for several national companies. They employ over 5,100 people nationwide. Back to top
Board Members 2  NCWWDB Welcomes New Members - NCWWDB Local Electedboardmembers Officials (LEOs) recently voted in and welcomed three new voting members and a new Youth Council member. Joining to serve for a three-year term are Kristine Porter, Bill Wenzel and Amy Nystrom. The LEOs also approved the appointment of Kathleen Ruenger as a member on itsYouth Council.
     Kristine Porter is the new Job Service Director with WDA 6. Porter began her position in September of 2013. Porter is replacing retired Job Service Director and NCWWDB Board member, Tom Younger. Younger was a Board member for ten years.
     Bill Wenzel is the General Manager at Northland Stainless in Tomahawk. Wenzel is replacing retiring NCWWDB Board member Scott Sedlacek. Sedlacek had served on NCWWDB's Board for one year.
     Amy Nystrom is the Senior Contracts Officer at PreventionGenetics in Marshfield. Nystrom is replacing retiring NCWWDB Board member Hang McDonald. McDonald had served on NCWWDB's Board for three years.
     Kathleen Ruenger is an Executive Assistant at Aspirus Network, Inc. in Wausau. Ruenger's appointment fills the required "WIA Parent" Youth Council member vacancy. Read more on each new member HERE. Back to top
WI Fast Forward Logo
DWD Announces $7.5 Million WIfastforward Fast Forward Training Program to Businesses Seeking Trained Workers - Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development recently announced the Wisconsin Fast Forward grant program, which will provide $7.5 million in funding to train workers based on employer demand. 
     The Office of Skills Development is making training grant funds available in the following sectors: Health Care and Related Occupations, $2 million; Information Technology Occupations, $1.5 million; Transportation, Logistics, and Distribution Occupations, $1 million; Financial Services Occupations, $1 million; Manufacturing Occupations, $1 million; Construction Trades and Related Occupations, $500,000; and $500,000 available to small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees.   
     WI Fast Forward encourages partnerships between employers, workforce and economic development organizations, and training providers to prepare workers for the available jobs with employers seeking a skilled workforce.
     Employers wanting to apply for the WI Fast Forward grant should contact Bruce Trimble, NCWWDB Employer Services Director at 715-204-1647 or by email at btrimble@ncwwdb.org. Read media release HERE. Back to top
DWD Logo PROMISE Grant to Prepare Youth with Special Needs to Succeed in Workforce - Program willdwd bring together innovative practices shown to increase employment outcomes. 
Wisconsin recently received a $32.5 million federal grant to connect special needs youth to resources that will transition them towards economic self-sufficiency and independence. 
     The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs awarded Wisconsin the Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Grant. The grant seeks to increase the education, career, and income outcomes of children with special needs receiving federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their families.
     The grant's intent is to help individuals and families across the state move from dependence to the independence of paid work experience and support increased financial literacy, improved job readiness, and reduced reliance on public assistance. It also includes career development plans to ensure today's youths with disabilities receive the support they need to be integral members of tomorrow's adult workforce. Read entire article HERE. Back to top
DEI Program Did You Know banner
Mentoring: Can Make a Difference - Mentoring is a hiring strategy thatdei can contribute to the recruitment, growth, and retention of employees with disabilities, and establishes an organizational culture that is attractive to candidates who bring enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to the workplace.
     Mentoring is a process where one person facilitates the development of another by sharing resources, expertise, perspectives, and values. At its essence it is a trusting relationship, formalized into a program of structured activities that allows mentees to build skills and knowledge while also attaining goals for career development. Conversely, it provides the opportunity for the mentor to see his or her skills and knowledge in a new way. Mentoring brings value to everyone involved in its practice. Mentees can gain wisdom from someone who has traveled the path before them, while mentors can enhance active listening and coaching skills and invest themselves in someone who seeks learning and knowledge for their professional development. To this end, mentoring can contribute to employee recruitment, growth, and retention while establishing an organizational culture that is attractive to candidates who bring enthusiasm, energy, innovation and commitment to the workplace.
     Click HERE to learn more on Mentoring as a hiring strategy. Back to top
       For more information about NCWWDB's Disability Employment Initiative, call Patty Branton at 715-347-3537 or email her at: pbranton@ncwwdb.org.  
Dr. Dan Dieterich
Job Center Staff Receive Training - A workshop wasresume recently offered to Job Center Staff on "How to Write Effective Resumes". Professional advice on writing resumes and cover letters, and the effective use of action verbs, appropriate headings, references and proof reading tips were offered to those in attendance. This timely, hands-on training should prove to be a useful resource for center staff who are frequently asked to assist jobseekers in both resume and cover letter development. 

    The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Dan Dieterich, of Word One Writing Consulting. Dieterich, an award winning, writing consultant and teacher with over thirty-three years of experience, helps organizations large and small to communicate effectively and efficiently. His goal is to help people project an appropriate professional image of themselves and their organization in their documents so that they accomplish their workplace objectives. According to Dieterich, helping people write clear, concise, direct, and grammatically correct documents will bring the desired visual impact to readers. 
     In 2004, the Association of Professional Communication Consultants gave Dieterich its "Award for Excellence in Training" and then renamed the award the "Dan Dieterich Award for Excellence in Training." Dieterich was employed for over 30 years as a Professor of English with the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. The three-hour Resume Workshop training was offered on February 5, 2014 at the Wisconsin Rapids Job Center. Back to top
capitol
WWDA Day at the Capitol - The event, open towwda Workforce Development Board members, partner
staff and those wanting to take part in educating our
state legislators on Wisconsin's workforce development system, was held on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at the Inn on the Park in Madison.
     NCWWDB's Executive Director, Rene Daniels
and Workforce Services Director, Jane Spencer accompanied NCWWDB Executive Committee member, Ron Zimmerman and LETC Program Manager, Cindy Kiesling on a visit to the Wisconsin Workforce Development Association's 7th annual "Day at the Capitol" event. 
    The day was spent visiting with our elected officials and advocating for policy issues and Workforce Development Board services. Elected officials visited were: Senator Tom Tiffany, Senator Jerry Petrowski, Rep. Mandy Wright, Rep. Katrina Shankland, Rep. John Spiros, Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, Rep. Bob Kulp, and Rep. Rob Swearingen.
     Thank you to all the legislators who took the time to meet with WWDA members during the Day at the Capitol. This event has proven to be an excellent opportunity for local elected officials, business leaders, and workforce board members and staff to meet with their legislators, and discuss their local workforce issues and concerns. We welcome more people to join us next year. Back to top
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WDA 6
Workforce Happenings 
for
January
&
February
2014

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statisticsWDA 6
Statistics Report
December 2013
The December 2013 unemployment rate in Wisconsin (not seasonably adjusted) was 5.8%. The rates for NCWWDA were 6.6%

Four counties in our region have unemployment rates among the top ten highest in the state. Vilas at 10.7% (3rd highest in the state) Adams at 9.9% (5th highest in the state) Forest at 9.2% (8th highest in the state) and Oneida at 8.6% (9th highest in the state Portage County has the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 5.4%

WorkNet & DWD  

Iron County's unemployment rate is the highest in the state at 13.3% while Dane County's rate of 3.8% makes it the states lowest.

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

One Warn Notice has been issued for the NCWWDA area in 2014.

*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 February 27, 2014, NCWWDB served 212 Youth, 238 Adults, and 792 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. 
  • LETC, with the assistance of Board staff held an expanded worker meeting/employer matching even for the Ruan Transportation employees prior to the trucking location closure scheduled for March.
 
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 

 

 
Spring Job Fairs
Job Fair
 Wausau Area Job Fair
Thursday, April 17, 2014
9 am - 2 pm
Northcentral Technical College - Auditorium
1000 W. Campus Drive
Wausau, WI
For more information contact Gail Hurd at 715-261-8722 or Erica Erdman at 715-261-8717. 

 

 Central WI Job Fair
 Wednesday, April 23, 2014
10 am - 2 pm
Mid-State Technical College
Building E
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
For more information contact Jennifer Gear at 715-422-5047

 

Rhinelander Regional
Job Fair 
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
10 am - 3 pm
Quality Inn
668 West Kemp Street
Rhinelander, WI
For more information contact 

Nancy Burns at 715-365-4565

 

 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. 

 

December 2013:

  • Total Clients - 3,463
  • New Clients - 109

  • Agency Visit - 464

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

  • Military Vet/Eligible Spouse - 126
  • Job Search JCoW- 533
  • Resume Assist - 42
  • Job Search other - 240
  • Career Exploration- 42

January 2014:

  • Total Clients - 3,403
  • New Clients - 185

  • Agency Visit - 634

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

  • Military Vet/Eligible Spouse - 160
  • Job Search JCoW- 594
  • Resume Assist - 55
  • Job Search other - 223
  • Career Exploration- 46

* 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 

 Job Center of Wisconsin  

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