WISCREPORT.COM (10/24/07) - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) has secured $2.025 million in federal appropriations for employment and economic development programs throughout Wisconsin. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill, which was passed by the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. last night. “Successful job training programs keep talented, high-skilled workers learning new skills throughout their careers,” Kohl said. The bill now moves to a House-Senate conference.

“We must do all we can to make sure that American workers are ready to take on new jobs in our ever-changing economy, or we run the risk of losing good-paying jobs to countries competing for them abroad,” Senator Kohl pointed out.

The funds secured by Kohl include:

$300,000 for the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership - Demand for qualified candidates for skilled trades and industries will continue to grow. This project will help develop a new, more diverse generation of skilled craft workers in Milwaukee. WRTP expects to increase the number of placements from 750 over the last two years to 500 per year with this funding.

$325,000 for the WISCAP: Skills Enhancement Project - The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) is a private non-profit corporation that serves as the trade organization for Wisconsin’s 16 Community Action Agencies. WISCAP offers training, advocacy and serves as a conduit for funds for statewide programs like Jobs and Business Development and Individual Development Accounts. WISCAP hopes to expand the program statewide with a goal of enrolling at least 640 participants during the first two years.

$450,000 for the W-O-W: Advanced Manufacturing into the Global Marketplace - Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington (W-O-W) Workforce Development, Inc. is a private non-profit corporation that administers Title I-B programs that provide training and direct case management services for adult, youth and dislocated workers.

W-O-W’s proposed project will help small manufacturing firms increase the skills of metalworkers through advanced manufacturing and technology training. They will also assist small metalworking companies in upgrading technology and implementing effective management practices.

$250,000 for Goodwill Industries, Milwaukee: Job Training For People With Disabilities - Goodwill operates two self-funded programs serving adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness in Milwaukee County. The Opportunity Worker Program serves young adults with developmental disabilities; the Mental Health Workforce Support program meets the needs of individuals with severe and chronic mental illness. This funding will be used to support both programs.

$300,000 for the Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program: Welder Training - Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program (CEP) will use this funding to support the development of an accelerated welding training program for underemployed or unemployed individuals living in CEP’s 10-county service area. CEP, in partnership with the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) and area manufacturing firms is initiating the Fast-Track Welding Academy of Northwest Wisconsin.

$250,000 for Workforce Resource Menomonee: Lean Manufacturing Training - This project is designed to provide resources to improve the competitiveness of West Central Wisconsin manufacturers by upgrading the skills of manufacturing workers. This is necessary to enhance the profitability and to ensure that small and medium sized manufacturers in the region are able to retain current workers and expand job opportunities.

$150,000 for Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board: Worker Training Workshop - The 7 Rivers Workforce Development Partnership is an active partnership of workforce development agencies in the 7 Rivers Region. This project will increase the capability of regional manufacturers to develop and retain a skilled workforce by offering incumbent worker training corresponding to the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council and the Department of Labor competencies for Advanced Manufacturing.