Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Today, Governor Tony Evers announced a new DWD portal and virtual job fair series to support displaced federal workers and other professionals seeking employment opportunities in #Wisconsin. DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek: “Wisconsin is full of people who expect to meet each day with honest work, and our mission is to remove barriers to meaningful careers, advance opportunities, and connect talent with opportunity. For anyone who finds purpose in a good day of challenging work, Wisconsin welcomes you home.” Visit the portal to learn more: dwd.wi.gov/federal-workers

New preliminary seasonally adjusted job totals for February from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics show total nonfarm jobs in Wisconsin fell 6,200 from last month to 3,043,700 while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.2%, below the national average of 4.1%. Read the full labor force summary for more: bit.ly/4c4u9YA

Each year, DWD’s Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) honors employers who go above and beyond to hire and support #veterans and their families through the Vets Ready Employer Initiative. OVES Director Gary Meyer and his team had the privilege of visiting several 2024 Vets Ready Employer award winning organizations, including: 4imprint in Oshkosh Del Monte Foods in Plover Frank Beverage Group in Middleton Goodwill NCW in Menasha Kimberly-Clark in Neenah Menasha Corporation in Neenah Old Wisconsin Sausage in Sheboygan Precision Iceblast Corporation in Peshtigo Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee These are among the 22 Wisconsin businesses being honored next week at our Vets Ready Employer symposium. Learn more about Vets Ready and how to better support veterans in the workplace: bit.ly/WIVetsReady

Congratulations to the Brown County Library for opening its second JobPod! 🎉 DWD joined representatives from the Bay Area Workforce Development Board to celebrate last week's ribbon cutting at Brown County Library's Weyers-Hilliard Branch in Howard. Brown County's first JobPod opened in March 2024 at East Branch Library. JobPods offer a private, soundproof environment for job seekers to access Job Center of Wisconsin services, build resumes, attend online interviews, fill out job applications, and more. Check out this coverage from Fox News 11 to learn more: bit.ly/4l18aWF

Maud Neprud Otjen left an indelible mark on #Wisconsin politics and public service. In 1917, when women had limited voting rights but could vote in school-related elections, she was elected as Vernon County superintendent of schools, becoming the first woman to hold that position in any Wisconsin county. Maud's passion for justice led her to her appointment by Governor Emanuel Philipp to the State Board of Control in 1919, making her the first woman in Wisconsin to serve in that role. She used her platform to improve the lives of youth and individuals with disabilities across the state. Maud, who was born in the western Wisconsin village of Coon Valley, also became a strong advocate for women’s rights, serving as the president of the Milwaukee chapter and later the statewide League of Women Voters. She was deeply involved in the Wisconsin Republican Party and, during World War II, was appointed as a staff member on the Wisconsin Council of Defense. Throughout her career, Maud Neprud Otjen encouraged women to fully engage in civic life, inspiring generations of Wisconsinites to make a difference in their communities. #WomensHistoryMonth #WisconsinHistory

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio this week about the potential impacts of retaliatory tariffs on Wisconsin's top industries. “We are anticipating our businesses having higher construction costs and higher energy costs. All of these things really significantly impact the health and vibrancy of their continued economic growth.” Read more: bit.ly/4iyrVDh

This week, DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek was honored to join Governor Tony Evers, fellow cabinet members, and tribal government leaders at the Wisconsin State Capitol for Wisconsin's annual State of the Tribes address. Chairman Thomas Fowler from the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin welcomed members of Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized Tribes and delivered this year's keynote address.   Watch the full address here: bit.ly/41Fm6wK   DWD is proud to partner with Tribal Nations across Wisconsin to address workforce needs and, together, build a stronger economy and workforce for all Wisconsinites.

"If it wasn't for this program, I wouldn't be able to do all the normal stuff and keep the farm going." This National Ag Day, meet John, a #Wisconsin dad, husband, and cattle farmer who found help from DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation following an accident on his Fox Valley area farm. Hear about his experience working with DVR in partnership with Easterseals Wisconsin and AgrAbility of Wisconsin. Read John's full story: bit.ly/DVR-Success #AgDay25

Shirley Abrahamson made history as a legal pioneer in #Wisconsin. Born in New York City, she made the Badger State home in the early 1960's, earning her doctorate in juridical science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 1962. She practiced law and taught at UW-Madison and Marquette University before shattering barriers on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She was the first woman to serve on the court after her appointment in 1976 and remained its only female justice for 17 years. In 1996, she became Wisconsin’s first female chief justice, leading the court for nearly 20 years. By the time she retired in 2019, women held five of the seven seats on the bench – a testament to her impact as the Wisconsin Supreme Court's longest serving justice. Over 43 years, Abrahamson helped shape Wisconsin law, deciding on more than 10,000 cases and authoring 535 majority opinions. Her unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and equality leaves a lasting legacy today. Learn more about Justice Abrahamson's life and legacy: shirleyabrahamson.org #WomensHistoryMonth #WisconsinHistory

DWD is excited to announce over $468,000 in Commercial Driver Training Grants have been awarded to 17 #Wisconsin businesses across 13 counties to boost the number of CDL holders in the state by supporting training programs. Congratulations to the following recipients: 🔹Chippewa Valley Technical College Foundation, Eau Claire County 🔹Dark Horse CDL School, Winnebago County 🔹ECO CST Services LLC, Walworth County 🔹Elexco, Inc., Outagamie County 🔹Fox Valley Technical College, Outagamie County 🔹Frank Beverage Group, Dane County 🔹Kickapoo Valley CDL Training LLC, Vernon County 🔹Next Level CDL Institute LLC, Waukesha County 🔹Northcentral Technical College, Marathon County 🔹Rock Gate Capital LLC, Milwaukee County 🔹Skinner Driven CDL Commercial Training LLC, Sauk County 🔹The CMV Tutor LLC, La Crosse County 🔹Veriha Trucking, Inc., Marinette County 🔹VisuSewer, Inc., Waukesha County 🔹Watco Companies LLC, Dane County 🔹Waukesha County Area Technical College District, Waukesha County 🔹Wisconsin Operating Engineers Skill and Apprenticeship Fund, Waushara County Learn more: bit.ly/4kTMfjZ