There are priorities, responsibilities, success indicators, and timelines built into the 2010 Plan of Work for three separate strategies to propel workforce development. Never before in our history has education been more important in developing a skilled workforce. That's why every Centergy Workforce Development objective contains an educational initiative.

For instance, we're

• Collaborating with three University of Wisconsin campuses and two area technical colleges to develop marketing efforts to help recruit alumni back to the area.
• Working with k-12 school districts, chambers of commerce, and local manufacturers to encourage careers in manufacturing by launching Gold Collar Career programs through area technical colleges. Manufacturing today is highly technical and we need an increasingly sophisticated workforce. (www.goldcollarcareers.com)
• Assisting the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (NCWWDB) in promoting an effort called Work Keys that identifies skills needed for a particular job and any potential gaps. The program includes testing, training, and certification.

Other objectives this year include writing research grants, developing presentations, identifying career opportunities for family members of people who have been recruited to central Wisconsin, providing support for state and federal funding, and creating discussion forums.

At Centergy we believe these ideas and strategies will lead not only to workforce growth, but maintenance of skills in an increasingly demanding world. Regional companies like Ministry Health Care, an integrated healthcare system of clinics and hospitals, primary and specialty care physicians, home care and related services, located across Central and Northern Wisconsin and into Minnesota, fully endorse Centergy’s efforts.

While education has long been a strength of the area, helping to attract and retain workers and their families, we are fortunate to have a broad range of "attractors" when talking to prospective employers and recruiting workers to the area. Our region also boasts premier natural resources for both enjoyment and recreation, a positive and welcoming culture, an outstanding array of opportunities to watch or participate in the arts, and the chance to live one’s day-to-day life outside the chaos of a large urban center.

Centergy - the Central Wisconsin Alliance for Economic Development - was created to attract and retain thriving businesses and a high-quality workforce, to foster entrepreneurial activity, and to inspire continuous improvement in our quality of life. The combined resources of many businesses, governmental units, educational institutions, chambers of commerce and foundations within our region support its efforts.

Centergy Board Member Craig Cook has held various healthcare positions during 30 year his career, including his current position with Ministry HealthCare in Marshfield for the last five years. He is a Registered Nurse and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration, as well as Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.