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DWD plays an important role in the Recovery Act implementation.
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On the Governor’s behalf, Secretary Roberta Gassman awarded a $100,000 workforce training grant to help fledging biotech firms become successful like TomoTherapy Incorporated. The grant is one of six, totaling $600,000, that are being awarded this summer under the Emerging Industries Skills Partnership initiative, part of Governor Doyle's Grow Wisconsin strategy for workforce and economic development. Secretary Gassman awarded the grant on Tuesday, August 4th, in an event at TomoTherapy.
For more information, read the press release.
For more information, read the press release.
On Governor Doyle’s behalf, Secretary Roberta Gassman launched the Invasive Species Demonstration
Project that uses American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to employ 55 young adults in "green jobs" this summer.
Hired as Watercraft Inspectors, the young workers are helping combat aquatic invasive species, such as Eurasian
watermilfoil, zebra mussels and the deadly fish virus VHS. The project is in collaboration with the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR). DWD provided ARRA funding to the state’s 11 regional workforce development boards to employ five workers
in each region. The ARRA-funded project is one of many that will employ approximately 4,000 Wisconsin young adults
statewide through June 2011. On July 23rd, Secretary Gassman met two of the workers at the High Cliff State Park marina
on the shores of Lake Winnebago. For more information, read the
Governor's press release.
On June 18, DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman
assisted Governor Doyle in announcing 11 grants totaling $951,000.
Four of them are training grants of nearly $795,000, funding that
will leverage an additional $920,000 from regional partners to help
meet the workforce needs in emerging and high-growth sectors, such
as health care, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and renewable
energy. For more information, read the
Governor's press release.
Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin will receive an additional $14,851,318 to provide career training and reemployment services to workers who lose their jobs as a result of outsourcing and foreign trade.
Governor Doyle and Secretary Gassman addressed
business, education and community leaders, as well as local
government officials, from southeastern Wisconsin at a ceremony
opening Snap-on Tools’ new center, Innovation Works, in Kenosha.
Pictured with Governor Doyle and Secretary Gassman is Andy Ginger,
Snap-on’s Chief Marketing Officer and summit emcee. For more about
the event, read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article that appeared
Saturday, May 30:
http://www.jsonline.com/business/46506267.html.
Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today urged biotech, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing firms to join DWD’s regional partners in applying for $700,000 in new worker training grants under Governor Doyle’s Emerging Industries Skills Partnership (EISP) initiative. More.
Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today encouraged Wisconsin manufacturers to join their regional workforce development agencies in applying for $85,000 in new funding that Governor Doyle has provided for training grants to help workers earn the industry’s top national credential, Manufacturing Skill Standards Certification (MSSC). More.
Wisconsin's draft American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Addendum is now released for a 30-day review and comment period. Comments are due no later than June 18, 2009, to pamela.o'brien@dwd.wisconsin.gov, (608) 266-8563.
The draft addendum includes the direction set by the Governor this spring related to Wisconsin's Sector Strategies Initiative and his Executive Order. Consistent with the ARRA, the state's draft also has new emphases on expanded training strategies and supports, reemployment services, as well as flexibility with training providers and other service delivery provisions. In addition, it includes the state's waiver plan with eight requests for implementation in the full program year 2009-2010. Finally, this draft has attachments related to veterans' priority of service and WIA and ARRA monitoring.
Governor Jim Doyle announced a $600,500 Joyce Foundation grant that will reduce poverty by helping low-wage workers learn new skills and get better jobs in high growth sectors.
The Regional Industry Skills Education (RISE) initiative is intended to serve roughly 723,000 workers statewide who have a high school degree or less. Two of three jobs today require more education.
The RISE partnership is part of Governor Doyle’s efforts to prepare Wisconsin workers and businesses to succeed in the future economy. Earlier this year, he announced his Wisconsin Sector Strategies Initiative, which reflects a major change in the way the state and its partners will train workers for jobs of the future and meet the needs of employers in growing, emerging sectors.
Read the press release.
On Tuesday, April 21, Secretary Gassman addressed the Long-term
Care Training Conference in Wausau that DWD sponsored with its
regional partner, the North Central Wisconsin Workforce
Development Board. With support from DWD, the North Central WDB
and Cooperative Care, a worker-owned cooperative providing home
care and personal care services, are developing an
apprenticeship program to help meet the area’s need for health
care workers. Secretary Gassman presented John Prindle,
Executive Director of Cooperative Care, with a certificate of
registration from the DWD Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.
The specialist program is the first health care related
apprenticeship program in Wisconsin.
In a move to help the unemployed find work and get the economy back on track, Governor Jim Doyle has signed an executive order requiring all contractors and subcontractors involved in recovery projects to post job openings on JobCenterofWisconsin.com, Wisconsin’s Internet employment site that is free, user-friendly and accessible at all hours of the day. Executive Order.
Governor Jim Doyle announced that the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has received $38 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to help dislocated workers, youth and people with disabilities find jobs and join in revitalizing Wisconsin’s economy. News Release.
On Wednesday, April 8, DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman hosted
Recovery "feedback sessions." In addition to Secretary
Gassman, Department of Administration Executive Assistant Andrew
Moyer and DWD's Chief Economist, Dennis Winters, were on hand to
discuss the labor market and workforce needs.
feedback session materials
dwd arra site
On Tuesday, March 24, Secretary Gassman visited Badger State
Inc., a plumbing and heating contractor in Eau Claire and
valuable partner in Wisconsin’s apprenticeship program. She
presented Badger State President Fred Gardner a commendation
from the Governor for Badger State’s contributions in training
skilled plumbers and steamfitters over the years. Secretary
Gassman met four apprentices, including Bryant Gardner, who is
the son of President Fred Gardner and Vice President LuAnne
Gardner. Bryant Gardner marks a fifth generation of plumbers in
the family.
"Through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
(ARRA), the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) received
additional funding to provide services that help build and
strengthen Wisconsin's workforce in the 21st century and
beyond."DWD Secretary Gassman
Secretary Gassman visited Milwaukee Gear in
Glendale on March 10 where she had an opportunity to meet and
congratulate employees there who completed a rigorous training
program in manufacturing, which entitled them to Manufacturing
Skills Standards Certificates (MSSC).
Governor Doyle announced $5.89 million for strategic workforce training initiatives to prepare Wisconsin workers and businesses to succeed in the future economy. The programs reflect a major change in the way the state and its partners will train workers for the jobs of the future and meet the needs of employers in growing, emerging sectors. News Release.
On behalf of Governor Doyle, Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman presented commendations to employers in Manitowoc and Sheboygan Falls. During a recent visit to Orion Energy Systems, Inc., she saluted the company, President & CEO Neal Verfuerth, and its employees for its success as an emerging industry. Founded in 1996, the small venture-capital enterprise now employs nearly 300 workers in producing lighting systems that help commercial and industrial customers, including Fortune 500 companies, cut energy costs 50% to 70%. She also honored Curt G. Joa, Inc., in Sheboygan Falls, for its longstanding partnership in the apprenticeship training program. Curt G. Joa is a leading manufacturer of paper production machinery, and currently employs nine apprentices, either as machinists, millwrights or industrial electricians. At Curt G. Joa, she presented a commendation to President Don Lammers, honoring the company for being a strong partner in apprenticeship training. DWD press release.
In a graduation ceremony at Blackhawk Technical College, Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman awarded certificates to workers completing a rigorous training program in manufacturing, and she urged more workers and employers to participate in Governor Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin initiative and gain skills that will prove valuable in the nation’s economic recovery and reinvestment efforts. DWD press release.
During a recent visit to Anteco Pharma in Lodi, Secretary Gassman highlighted Governor Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin initiative to help ensure skilled workers for the emerging biotech sector that includes Anteco Pharma, Quintessence Biosciences and other new companies. A year ago, Governor Doyle and Secretary Gassman announced $850,000 in Emerging Industry Skills Partnership grants to fund training for skilled workers needed in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and biotechnology sectors. The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin received an $85,000 EISP grant to fund training for biotech industry workers. An Anteco Pharma, Secretary Gassman provided an update on the training initiative, highlighted career opportunities and the potential for economic growth in the biotech sector, and underscored the Governor’s continuing commitment to investing in people, their education and training.
Read the DWD press release.
The Wisconsin State Journal this week chronicled the birth of unemployment insurance in the U.S. and how it all began in Wisconsin.
Read the Wisconsin State Journal article.
Secretary Gassman hailed Wisconsin's apprenticeship program, the first of its kind in the nation, as a model that would help the state move into economic recovery by providing skilled workers needed for growth.
Secretary Gassman delivered opening remarks for the two-day conference with advance registration of nearly 300. The conference featured an apprenticeship expo with 44 exhibitors. On the opening day, between 400 and 450 high school students visited the booths and learned about careers in skilled trades.
Governor Doyle announced additional extended unemployment benefits for Wisconsin workers who have exhausted their benefits, both their regular Wisconsin benefits and the federal extended benefits approved last summer. DWD press release.
Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Division Administrator Hal Bergan today urged unemployed workers in Wisconsin to apply for unemployment insurance benefits by using the state’s Internet site, www.ucclaim-wi.org, a safe, secure site providing the fastest service. DWD press release.
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman introduced job seekers to the state's new Internet employment site JobCenterOfWisconsin.com during a visit to the Urban League, in Milwaukee, on September 18.
"We need a strong, growing Milwaukee economy for Wisconsin to thrive," Secretary Gassman said. "While the national economy is having an impact on all states, good jobs are available in Wisconsin for people with the right skills or the ability to learn those skills. In these times, we need to do everything we can to help people connect with jobs, especially here in Milwaukee." Read press ReleaseGovernor Doyle unveiled Grow Wisconsin -- The Next Steps -- in January. This package of initiatives will take our economy to the next level. These initiatives will not only accelerate Wisconsin now, but provide investments that will sustain growth for generations to come.
The Governor's plan will prepare Wisconsin's traditional industries to compete in the global economy with efficiency and innovation. It will also provide Opportunity Grants to low-income working adults not eligible for technical college financial aid, expand partnerships in workforce development, and expand successful training programs like youth and adult apprenticeship to develop a highly-skilled workforce, among many other initiatives.
"Jobs of the Future" is Governor Doyle's major
job creation initiative that will build partnerships between
businesses and schools so that Wisconsin youth and workers are
trained for the high-tech job market.
learn
more about Jobs of the Future
On July 1, 2008 some DWD programs moved to the new Department
of Children and Families.
Read this information on
the DCF transition.
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