Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Did you know DWD's Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) is ranked 4th in the nation for successfully connecting veterans to employment? Last year, nearly 68% of program participants who were unemployed became employed with help from OVES.

This , we encourage veterans ready to find their next opportunity, and employers interested in connecting to qualified job seekers, to reach out to one of our local veteran employment representatives today! dwd.wi.gov/veterans
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The Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA) Center at Mid-State Technical College is a physical demonstration of community support and progress. The AMETA Center was made possible with land donated by Wayne Bushman, a $9 million Workforce Innovation Grant, and backing from over 125 partners.

On July 22, Mid-State Technical College welcomed Governor Tony Evers, DWD Deputy Secretary Pamela McGillivray, Wisconsin Department of Administration Assistant Deputy Secretary Diana Maas, representatives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and more than 300 other supporters to celebrate the opening of the AMETA Center.

This center aims to introduce young children to the field of manufacturing, train students for manufacturing careers, and provide local businesses with a skilled manufacturing workforce. Additionally, it will offer related instruction for local registered apprenticeship programs. To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities at the AMETA Center and beyond, you can visit WisconsinApprenticeship.org.

REGISTER NOW: Join DWD and the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board on 8/8 in for our next Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event!

Hosted at Fox Valley Technical College, the forum will explore the fundamentals of and its mechanics, prompt generation techniques, and crucial ethical considerations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to participate in practical discussions and hands-on activities using AI tools and technologies.

Register today to secure your spot! FoxValleyWWW-Q3.eventbrite.com

In announcing a $4.6 million grant to support individuals reentering the workforce, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin said: "We're building an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top."

Announced last week in , the U.S. Department of Labor funding helps DWD and the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board develop innovative ways to re-engage people who may be out of work to help bolster our skilled and support businesses statewide. 💼✨

DWD extends gratitude to our statewide partners, including those who joined Senator Baldwin, FVWDB CEO Anthony Snyder, and DWD Assistant Deputy Secretary Jennifer Sereno at the Menasha roundtable discussion. Collaboration is a cornerstone of a robust workforce and economy.

FINAL MEETING: Governor Tony Evers' Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence will hold its final meeting on Monday, July 22 at Madison College.

The meeting will recap the group's action plan and provide a final briefing on statewide technology developments and labor market trends. Meeting presenters include Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, Wisconsin's Technical Colleges Provost Dr. Colleen McCabe, Microsoft U.S. Government Affairs Industry Director Tyler Clark, and DWD Chief Economist Dennis Winters.

Read our press release to learn more and register to attend in-person or online: bit.ly/3WqysHq

Led by Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, the Governor's Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce met July 11 at the UW-Green Bay University Union to help finalize recommendations going to Governor Tony Evers this fall.

Strategies to confront worker shortages in Wisconsin's community include solutions in education and training, recruitment and retention, and regulatory policy.

Ahead of the meeting, task force members toured Medical College of Wisconsin's community provider program near , which is working to graduate new doctors who will practice in the area.

Follow along with the Governor's Task Force: bit.ly/4f1bo9z

FINAL CALL for employers to apply for the 2024 Vets Ready Employer Initiative! Applications close this Friday, July 19.

DWD and our partners aim to recognize employers that hire and retain , build veteran support systems, and connect with veterans in their communities.

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek: "Since 2020, we've showcased employers that put veterans and their families first through the Vets Ready Employer Initiative. We continue to show appreciation for employers that support and advocate for those who have served our country through this opportunity."

Read our press release for application instructions and to learn more: bit.ly/3WpuE8r

👏👏 Congratulations to the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin on its $4M Apprenticeship Building America grant from the U.S. Department of Labor!

DWD looks forward to working with WDBSCW, Madison College, SSM Health, and UW Health to continue to expand Wisconsin and help strengthen the state's workforce.

We did it! 🎉 📣 We have been awarded $4M in Apprenticeship Building America (ABA2) funding by the U.S. Department of Labor, putting Wisconsin on the map! ❤️🦡 We’ll continue to expand, diversify and strengthen Registered Apprenticeships in healthcare that translates training into . 🧬

Big thanks to the U.S. DOL and our key partners in this initiative: Madison College, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, SSM Health, UW Health. Such an amazing opportunity to revolutionize apprenticeships! 🌟



For more information, check out the U.S. DOL's Press Release:
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20240711-0

DWD is proud to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Administration on this important initiative. 🌱💡

It's ! DYK? Our Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE) is partnering with Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to develop a energy workforce inventory, allowing us to stay committed to our goals of increasing clean energy and jobs across .

📣 Attention employers! Does your organization go the extra mile to hire and support military in the workplace? If you answered yes, don't forget to submit your application to be recognized as a Vets Ready Employer!

In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, and DAV Wisconsin, DWD is proud to recognize businesses that go above and beyond for our veteran workforce through the Vets Ready Employer Initiative.

Learn more and apply by Friday, July 19: bit.ly/3L9iPh7

New technologies are creating new opportunities for youth to explore their future careers. From to automotive collision repair, immersive virtual reality experiences are opening doors to endless possibilities.

At last month's Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event in , DWD joined the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board to discuss the importance of programs like Youth Apprenticeship that prepare Wisconsin teens and young adults to enter the . Attendees learned about local career preparation and training services from Forward Service Corporation and Ryan Leonhardt offered a demo of Transfr Inc.'s VR career exploration simulator.

For more workforce insights, register to attend an upcoming Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event near you: bit.ly/WinningWI24

Exciting news for technical education programs! 💡

DWD joined Governor Tony Evers today in announcing more than $480,000 in new Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment grants awarded to 17 school districts across the state. The grant funds will support advanced training for roughly 4,600 students statewide.

Check out today's press release to learn more: bit.ly/3W6aill

Please be aware of phishing scams involving unemployment insurance that attempt to capture any banking or personal information.

Scams involving unemployment insurance can take many forms. But to address one recent example, there is no such thing as MyBack2Work, and no one should provide personal information related to their current or past unemployment benefits to anyone who requests it over email. More information is available here: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/fraud/scams.htm

Unemployment insurance payments can keep families from falling into poverty while they look for work after losing a job through no fault of their own. Let's keep scammers away from these funds by all being vigilant and aware.

Pure dairy, pure dedication! June is National Dairy Month, and here in America's Dairyland, is critically important to our state's economy. is home to about 5,500 dairy farms, more than any other state, and the dairy industry contributes $45.6 billion to our economy each year.

Wisconsin agriculture adds about 435,700 jobs to the state's annually, with roughly 157,000 of those jobs in . And Wisconsin's dedicated dairy workforce, including dairy equipment manufacturers and technicians, veterinarians, geneticists, dairy plant and feed mill operators, inspectors, dairy software developers, and more, has a significant statewide impact on our labor force and economy.

DWD's record-breaking Registered and Youth Apprenticeship programs offer training and support for Wisconsinites seeking careers in agriculture. Over the last decade, participation in our Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources pathway has nearly tripled, up from 445 youth apprentices in 2014 to 1,149 in the most recent school year.

To learn about the variety of ag career opportunities supported by our Youth Apprenticeship program, visit: bit.ly/45OEC7p

Wisconsin's workforce spans six generations, and last week's Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event in focused on empowering and employing the state's youngest generation of workers.

DWD Assistant Deputy Secretary Jennifer Sereno joined Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, SE Wisconsin Employment Central Workforce Development Board Executive Director Doug Bartz, and local and leaders for an insightful discussion on employment opportunities for youth.

A panel of area K-12, workforce development, and higher education leaders shared insights on local job programs for young adults. Karen Goodwin, youth vocational coordinator for Racine County Wisconsin, emphasized the importance of employer support. "The youth of today are the workforce of the future."

DWD supports the state's next generation workforce through innovative solutions, including Wisconsin's record-breaking Youth Apprenticeship program.

Learn more: WisconsinApprenticeship.com

Construction in is growing. In May, the state's industry was up 3,100 jobs compared to the same month last year. 📈

To ensure our can continue to meet industry demand, DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek was proud to join U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Governor Tony Evers in to discuss the Million Women in Construction initiative. The initiative aims to bring a million more women into the construction industry nationwide.

WRTP / BIG STEP hosted the visit, offering a tour of their training center where students gain industry skills in a hands-on learning environment.

Congratulations to Wisconsin-based Miron Construction Co., Inc. and The Boldt Company for answering the call to sign the Million Women in Construction Community Pledge! 👏 👏

Learn more about the Million Women in Construction initiative: commerce.gov/issues/million-women-construction-initiative

BIG NEWS: Preliminary estimates from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics show employment in hit a record high of 3,048,000 in May, with 6,500 more Wisconsinites employed compared to a year ago.

Check out this coverage from WEAU 13 News to learn more:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Wisconsin achieves record high employment The Department of Workforce Development today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary estimates for May 2024.

This year's was a 🔥 one, but the high temps didn't stop DWD staff from sharing HOT job opportunities with festival goers!

Milwaukee's Juneteenth celebration, one of the largest and longest-running in the country, included a parade featuring Milwaukee Bucks' Bango and Milwaukee Brewers' Famous Racing Sausages, along with music, art, dancing, and an excellent lineup of guest speakers. This year marks Milwaukee's 53rd annual Juneteenth celebration, with the city's first in 1971.

Thank you to all our staff in attendance for your great work connecting local , military , and to DWD services.

Also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday that holds significance in American history as a remembrance of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It commemorates June 19, 1865, the day General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery in the United States – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

Visit Milwaukee's official Juneteenth website to learn more: juneteenthmilwaukee.com

Today, DWD was proud to join Governor Tony Evers and government agencies across the state by raising the Flag over our GEF-1 building in . The act of raising the Juneteenth Flag is a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the African American community, honoring the history and achievements of African Americans here in and across the nation.

At DWD, we reflect on the strides made toward equality and justice, while acknowledging the work still ahead. By participating in the Juneteenth Flag raising ceremony, we celebrate our state's rich African American heritage and reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable society, where freedom and opportunity are accessible to all.

📢 Attention public works project partners and contractors! DWD is excited to announce the launch of our Equal Rights Division's new online, searchable database of substance abuse prevention policies for contractors and subcontractors.

"Substance abuse prevention programs protect employees and make Wisconsin a safer place to work," said Equal Rights Division Administrator Ramona L. Natera. "DWD's database helps contracting entities identify which employers have a plan in place before contracting them for public works and public utility projects."

Search the database today at: bit.ly/3VkWimo

Lack of is a barrier to . Now, thanks to Governor Tony Evers' strategic Workforce Innovation Grant program, administered by DWD and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Waupaca County Economic Development Corp.'s Catch-a-Ride program has hit a milestone with 10,000 rides!

Forward-thinking leaders in Waupaca County launched the Catch-a-Ride service with help from Feonix - Mobility Rising and Make the Ride Happen, as well as employers including Tyson Foods, ThedaCare, and Waupaca Foundry.

The ride share system offers a 24/7 call center and mobile app so and can arrange for transportation. The program extends across county lines and builds on all available transportation options with a small fleet of vehicles, volunteers, and existing local taxi companies.

Learn more about the program at waupacacar.org.

Don't miss out; register now for next week's FREE Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event with SE Wisconsin Employment Central at Gateway Technical College in ! 👉 bit.ly/4b4cnmi

Holy cow, what an amazing audience! 🐄

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek had the opportunity to address hundreds of Future Farmers of America and agriculture industry employers and stakeholders at this year's Wisconsin State FFA Convention held this week at Alliant Energy Center in .

Thank you to Wisconsin Association of FFA for inviting DWD to talk about the important role Wisconsin's industry plays in the state's economy, and how DWD is working to prepare the future farming workforce to thrive here in America's Dairyland.

REGISTER NOW: Join DWD and Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, Inc. on 6/20 in for our next Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event!

Hosted at the UW Oshkosh Fox Cities campus, the forum will highlight strategies to empower and employ young workers, including and other work-based learning programs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from industry experts, connect with like-minded professionals, and access valuable resources to help you succeed in today's competitive job market.

Register today to secure your spot! bit.ly/4bUa5aD

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek sends a to Marquette University School of Dentistry for hosting the June Task Force on the meeting. Dean and task force member, Elsbeth Kalenderian DDS, MPH, Ph.D, led task force members on a tour of the school's specialty-care clinics, research labs, and dental offices.

The University trains the Wisconsin's dentistry workforce and offers critical healthcare services for the community and state. It is the only dentistry school in the state and provides oral healthcare to over 30,000 patients a year. Dean Kalenderian's own career journey in the dental field is an inspiration to other young women in STEM.

Following the tour, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez kicked off the Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce meeting. The meeting featured a panel discussion which included leaders from the K-12 system, technical college system, and public and private universities. In addition, the task force reviewed draft proposals to address healthcare workforce challenges.

Secretary Pechacek discussed the proposals with fellow task force members and facilitators. The proposals will be part of an advisory action plan for Governor Tony Evers, which will be finalized later this year.

Learn more about the task force: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hc-workforce/index.htm