Workforce Development

1. Strengthen partner efforts that link child school readiness to economic vitality.
2. Be selected as a pilot program through the Governor’s Commission on Workforce Investment with North Central WI Workforce Development Board for Regional Career Center to increase connection to local demand occupations, job openings, link between education and earning power.
3. Create manufacturing consortium similar to New Manufacturing Alliance or Gold Collar Careers to encourage high school career path in the industry.
4. Decrease the amount of remedial education needed for students entering post-secondary education by 10% by 2010.

1. Capitalize on the region’s central location and presence of workforce training institutions to deliver workforce education and training.
2. Work to raise the educational attainment and skills of current and potential workers in Central Wisconsin by 10% by 2010.
3. Support Workforce Development Board and Department of Labor grants that seek funding for innovative workforce training programs, ie SPARK (Specific Production Academics for Regional Knowledge).
4. Support innovative workforce training programs aimed at meeting the needs of employers and the workforce identified in our priority industry segments, ie Centergy’s Healthcare Departure and Retirement Study released in November 2008.
5. Establish an executive/professional career web-base that can be used to identify career opportunities for individuals and family members who have been recruited to work in Central Wisconsin.
6. Launch alumni recruitment campaign through institutions of higher education.
7. Develop post secondary educational plan that can be used in advocating support of existing educational programs and funding for additional training and degree programs.
8. Address obstacles to achieving State’s goal of having 40% of manufacturing companies receiving MSSC Certification by 2016.
9. Support the initiatives of the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County through the Federal “Partners for Workforce Innovation” grant for the purpose of articulating career pathways and opportunities for low-income workers to sustainable employment with local industries, along with aligning with Milwaukee 7 region’s grant award goals by 2012 (only 2 received in the State of Wisconsin).
10. Increase articulation agreements, transfer program provisions, and specific institutional partnerships to fill academic voids and maximize career opportunities for regional students.