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Home > About the Department of Workforce Development

About the Department of Workforce Development

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is a state agency charged with building and strengthening Wisconsin's workforce in the 21st century and beyond.

The Department's primary responsibilities include providing job services, training and employment assistance to people looking for work, at the same time as it works with employers on finding the necessary workers to fill current job openings.

Under the DWD umbrella, a wide variety of employment programs can be found which range from securing jobs for the disabled, assisting former welfare recipients as they make a transition into work, promoting 75 job centers, linking youth with jobs of tomorrow, protecting and enforcing worker's rights, processing unemployment claims and ensuring workers compensation claims are paid in accordance with the law.

There are seven divisions with the Department which is headed by a Secretary appointed by the Governor.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Roberta Gassman - Secretary
JoAnna Richard - Deputy Secretary
Héctor Colón - Executive Assistant
Oversees divisions and their efforts at DWD.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Susan Canty - Administrator
Provides various administrative support services to the program divisions.

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Ron Danowski - Administrator
The Division of Employment & Training develops and maintains employment-focused programs that enable employers to hire and retain the workforce they need and that provide individuals and families with services that enable them to achieve financial well being as members of Wisconsin's workforce. It delivers services through public-private partnerships and a statewide network of Job Centers.

EQUAL RIGHTS

Jennifer Ortiz - Administrator
Administers laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, and the state’s family and medical leave law. Enforces laws pertaining to minimum wage, overtime pay, timely payment of wages, employment of minors, and notification of business closings or mass layoffs. Also sets and enforces prevailing wage rates that must be paid on state and municipal construction projects.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Hal Bergan - Administrator
Collects employer payroll taxes, pays benefits to eligible unemployed workers, adjudicates disputes, detects fraud; collects benefit overpayments, and administers the New Hire Reporting program.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Charlene Dwyer - Administrator
A federal/state program designed to obtain, maintain, and improve employment for people with disabilities by working with VR consumers, employers, and other partners.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION

Frances Huntley-Cooper - Administrator
Ensures the prompt payment of benefits by private insurance companies and self-insured employers to workers who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses, resolves appeals regarding claims.

Office Location

STREET ADDRESS
201 E. Washington Avenue, Madison WI 53703

MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 7946, Madison, WI 53707-7946

PHONE NUMBER
(608) 266-3131

FAX NUMBER
(608) 266-1784

Need help finding DWD? Driving directions, downtown Madison map and building access information.

DWD Related Agencies

Labor and Industry Review Commission (LIRC)

Updated June 30, 2008
Division of Administrative Services
Content Contact: DWD Webmasters


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