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[<head>

<title>Wisconsin News Release: JobNet use by job seekers, employers, setting records</title>
</head>
<body>

<table border="0">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="300">Thursday, April 22, 1999 
Governor 
Tommy G. Thompson 
Secretary 
Linda Stewart</td>
<td valign="top" width="300"> 
News Media Contact 
DWD News Office 
608/267-4400 
e-mail: <a
href="http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/mail/asp/mailto.asp?WhoTo=news@dwd.state.wi.us">news@dwd.state.wi.us</a> 
fax: 608/266-1784</td>
</tr>
</table>

For more information, contact: 
Jack Wichita, 608/267-9048

JobNet use by job seekers, 
employers, setting records

Madison, Wis. The Wisconsin-designed, computer-based JobNet system has emerged
as one of the most popular job search tools in use today.

Since its debut in January, 1995, debut, JobNet and its touch-screen computers in
Wisconsin Job Centers have been used for employment searches more than 2.25 million times.
That total is projected to move past 2.5 million by this Fourth of July weekend.

That total number of uses surpasses the 5-million-mark when the Internet use is added.

JobNet has been available on the Internet only since July, 1996, yet the number of
JobNet Internet "sessions" should climb past the 3-million mark by this Labor
Day. (A session represents a connection with JobNet by someone at a computer, regardless
of the number of "pages" (screens) they visit or the amount of time they spend
in that visit.)

The growth of JobNet sessions on the Internet has more than doubled each year, with a
current average of more than 140,000 sessions per month. If this growth rate continues,
there will be more than 350,000 JobNet sessions per month by July, 2000.

The cumulative number of new job openings posted by employers on JobNet since 1995 also
cleared the 500,000 milestone in October of 1998. Although that number rises and falls
according to the season, on any given day JobNet has about 32,000 current openings
available.

"JobNet has proven to be the most effective program of its type in the
country," said Jack Wichita, director of the Job Service Bureau in the Wisconsin
Department of Workforce Development.

JobNet is a self-service, computer-aided system that job seekers can use to quickly
find available job openings. It is the keystone of public labor exchange activity in
Wisconsin, providing an electronic link of employers and job seekers free of charge.

JobNet is the single-largest source of job listings and job seekers in Wisconsin.

JobNet touch-screen computers are located in Job Centers throughout the state and on
the Internet. The JobNet Internet address is <
<a href="http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/jobnet/">http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/jobnet/</a>
>.

First-time JobNet users will find openings sorted into eight categories:

<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Managerial and Professional Specialty</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Clerical and Administrative Support</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Sales and Marketing</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Service (Food & Beverage, Cleaning, Security, etc.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Farming, Forestry and Fishing</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Skilled Trades</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Operators, Assemblers, Processors, Laborers and Drivers</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Part-time and Temporary</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>

People may choose to view all current listings, or narrow the search to a preferred geographic area.

"JobNet provides employers and job seekers with a service that is useful and easy
to use," said Wichita. "Theres no waiting in line. Just come in to one of
our welcoming Job Centers, or connect with JobNet from the Internet in your home or your
local library.

Self-service job search has been the most effective strategy for most people, Wichita
said. "JobNet users know what they can market to employers and what they cant."

"We list a lot of jobs and the kinds of jobs people are seeking," Wichita
added. "We want people to find the work theyre looking for and qualified for.
If theyre not qualified, Job Centers have other services to help them out."

Employers who wish to post an opening can do so by contacting their nearest Job Center
by phone or fax, or they can submit job orders over the Internet connection.

For additional information about JobNet or other job and career information, contact
any Job Center. For the address and phone number of the nearest Center, call toll free
888/258-9966.
]

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development