DWD unveils initiative to showcase state’s workforce development efforts

Wisconsin’s workforce development leaders are encouraged to share their successes at one of the state’s upcoming forums organized by the Department of Workforce Development.

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek announced Wednesday the “Winning with Wisconsin’s Workforce” initiative, which includes a statewide series of forums designed to highlight workforce development, investments, available funding, resources to aid competitiveness and local successes with worker recruitment and retention.

The agency will host its first round of free, quarterly forums from Feb. 14 to March 8, officials said. Employers, educators, community leaders, nonprofit service providers and more are invited to register for upcoming sessions online.

Forum events will continue throughout the year and cover apprenticeship, hiring opportunities with veterans and workers with disabilities, funding for custom worker training and more.

Here’s a list of dates and locations for the first round of forums.

• Feb. 14: Superior, Phillips and Hayward
• Feb. 15: Jefferson
• Feb. 23: Kenosha
• Feb. 23: Sparta
• Feb 23: Janesville
• Feb. 24: Wisconsin Rapids
• March 3: Appleton
• March 8: Milwaukee

“Our administration has made a historic commitment to workforce development, and in my State of the State address, I announced that we’re going to build on that work and our economic momentum by investing in initiatives to retain and attract talented workers and remove barriers to employment in every sector of our state’s economy,” Gov. Evers said in a statement.

“Our ‘Winning with Wisconsin’s Workforce’ series offers a unique chance to elevate regional success stories, identify helpful resources, and learn more from attendees so we can continue working together to successfully address our state’s longstanding workforce challenges,” the governor added.

The first round of sessions will feature an overview of resources, key labor market data and focus on homegrown talent, officials said. Coverage includes efforts to remove workforce barriers, promote labor participation and build workforce capacity through technology and training.

On Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers announced at his State of the State Address on Tuesday a total of $190 million to strengthen the state’s labor force.