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March 2013
Volume 1, Issue 48
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2013 WWDA Map
Click here for a larger map of Wisconsin's Workforce Development Areas
TOGETHER.
DEVELOPING WISCONSIN'S WORKFORCE.

The Wisconsin Workforce Development Association (WWDA) is the organization that promotes, enhances, and serves the interests of local workforce investment agencies and system partners in Wisconsin. WWDA represents the eleven Workforce Development Areas who administer the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs, as well as other federal, state and local workforce development initiatives across Wisconsin. Learn More.

 

Don Sykes 

A MESSAGE FROM DONALD SYKES

MAWIB President and CEO

WWDA Executive Committee Chair

 

 

 

I would first like to welcome our new WWDA Executive Director Brian Vigue.  

 

With the recent news of the Governor's investment in workforce training, we have a great opportunity to discuss current workforce efforts and the needs of our Wisconsin communities.

 

We began this important discussion with legislators last week during WWDA's annual Day at the Capitol. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the strong representation from Wisconsin's workforce investment boards at event on Wednesday, February 6. We met with legislators and aides from both the Senate and the Assembly to provide information about the WIB's and spread news of our success and accomplishments. The Day at the Capitol is well-timed as the Governor's budget is due to be unveiled later this month. 

 

It is critically important we are communicating the success of WIB's coordination of workforce funding in the communities they serve. Collectively, we develop collaborative programs and weave together federal, state and local investments to ensure the maximum benefit and greatest impact while avoiding a duplication of effort. For this reason, the state would be wise to engage WIBs early and often when considering the distribution of new workforce funding. Additionally, each community is well-represented through the WIB board of directors, which is 50 percent employers and includes technical college representatives and community partners.

 

From successful business relationships to training and placing individuals in jobs shrinking the skills gap, be sure to tell your stories. During my time at the Capitol, I was proud to share many of MAWIB's successes from the 16,529 Earn & Learn participants since the program's inception to the 222 employers involved in MAWIB's Transitional Jobs program. Our valuable network of workforce boards can provide the highest level overview of current workforce initiatives and offer insight on how to grow successful programs as well as identify current and future challenges. During this uncertain time, communication and open dialogue are key.

 

Through whatever medium, I look forward to hearing about your workforce successes.

 

 

 
WORKFORCE BOARDS LEVERAGE $6 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT WITH SKILLS WISCONSIN 
INITIATIVE TO SERVE WISCONSIN BUSINESSES AND JOBSEEKERS
 

Workforce Boards leverage $6 million federal grant with Skills Wisconsin initiative to serve Wisconsin businesses and job seekers

Skills Wisconsin, the three-year skills matching grant awarded last year to the WWDA has been launched in five of the eleven workforce areas and the remaining areas will "GoLive" in July. New partnerships, processes, workflows, and tools are being developed and implemented help Wisconsin businesses find the skilled workers they need to grow. Sixty workforce professionals have been trained in the new system with more training planned in July.

 

A key component of the effort is the customized Salesforce cloud computing tool to match employers with job seekers and the using the systems real-time date to work with industry sector groups to identify needed skills training. If needed, new curricula will be developed and provided in shorter time periods to get workers the skills they need. 

The next stage is underway to build system connections between workforce and economic development to plan ahead for workers that will be needed by companies looking to expand or move to Wisconsin. This ground breaking effort will get state, regional and local agencies that serve businesses and job seekers on the same platform, sharing information across the state about business hiring needs and available job seeker candidates. Work is also in progress to connect between workforce, economic, and educational existing and proposed systems to share information. 

 

Project partners are the statewide Wisconsin Workforce Development Association and its 11 Consortia Workforce Development Boards, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Wisconsin Technical College System, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association.

 

Look for progress reports in future newsletters and for more information contact Sue Gleason, Skills Wisconsin Project Director at 608-249-9001 x237 or [email protected].

 

 

MANUFACTURING MYTH BUSTING TOURS FOR YOUTH IN NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
 

 

 

What better way to peak the interest of youth in these potential career possibilities than to givethem a first-hand (and hands-on) look at the opportunities that exist?

 

The Northwest Wisconsin Mythbusting Manufacturing tour is the inaugural event of the SEE IT. BE IT. Career Exploration series funded by the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB).  In partnership with Wisconsin's Gold Collar Career Initiative, NWWIB, Inc. and other stakeholders, including manufacturers, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, and others, have teamed up to create the Mythbusting Manufacturing tour to help break misconceptions about manufacturing and expose youth to manufacturing career prospects in the region.

 

The Mythbusting Manufacturing tour consists of touring manufacturers; including Ashland Industries, C. G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc., Charter Films, Field Logic, Genesis, H-Windows, Rice Lake Weighing, and Superior-Lidgerwood-Mundy. Students will also tour Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College campuses and receive information on the college's manufacturing programs. Over half the high schools in the region participated in this event.

 

Perceptions of manufacturing are less than positive because of the industry's stigma of dimly lit warehouses clouded with soot and struggling, poorly paid employees. However, times have changed, and so have careers in manufacturing.  Over the past few decades manufacturing jobs have transformed from dirty, monotonous, low-paying jobs to advanced, skill-driven, high-paying careers in state-of-the-art facilities.

 

One student from Superior High School said, "Field Logic was, it was different from what I thought it was going to be. Because there are way more departments and categories instead of just making targets." Field Logic is a nationally recognized sporting goods manufacturer known for archery's first open layered target.

 

Jobs in manufacturing range from basic line-workers to advanced positions as CNC machinists and mechanical engineers; it's an industry where everyone is a fit. Even more encouraging for young people is that the job outlook for a career in manufacturing today is quite sunny as today's workforce ages out, opening up positions, while sector expansion leads to increased job creation making this a high-demand career. 
 
 

A COMMUNITY MOBILIZES TO HELP- WORKFORCE TAKES THE LEAD

 

The workforce system knows the term, Rapid Response, but current events in Southeast Wisconsin called for lightning speed response. An  eight-alarm fire on January 30 destroyed a large portion of the Echo Lake Foods processing plant. Overnight, more than 300 people's jobs were in doubt. In a two week period South East Wisconsin Workforce Development Area #1 staff mobilized to host Rapid Response meetings and organize a well-attended Job Fair in Burlington, Wisconsin. On February 13, over 50 businesses, ranging from production and food service companies to industries looking for skilled laborers and mechanics, participated in the Job Fair. Sponsored by the Racine County Workforce Development Center in response to the displacement of hundreds of Echo Lake Foods employees, the goal was to provide rapid help in finding jobs.  Burlington Mayor, Bob Miller, and Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig attended and provided support to job seekers, gave thanks to participating employers and Workforce employees who spent many hours organizing this event. Showing the partnership of the three county workforce efforts, staff from Walworth and Kenosha helped employers set up and job seekers navigate the Job Fair.

 

A steady stream of job seekers attended the three-hour event, filling out applications where possible and passing out resumes. While prompted by the displacement of Echo Lake Foods employees, the event was open to anyone looking for a job. Local media was drawn to the event due to dramatic force of the fire and the impact on people's lives. Here is more coverage.
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Wisconsin Workforce Development Association

3513 Anderson Street, Suite 104

Madison, WI  53704

Office:  608-249-9001 x238

Cell:  608-843-6355

Fax:  608-249-9356

Email: [email protected]

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