About the Department of Workforce Development

DWD Mission & Vision

Mission: DWD efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs, and advocates for the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers.

Vision: DWD envisions a thriving Wisconsin economy in which:

All workers are treated fairly, with dignity and respect;
Employers, government, educational institutions, and workers collaborate to ensure workforce programs meet current and future needs; and
Every job provides the wages and benefits necessary to support workers' basic needs, invest in their future, and actively engage with their families and communities.

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.

DWD offers a wide variety of employment programs that help connect employers and job seekers, secure jobs for people with disabilities, and assist people with low-incomes and the long-term unemployed in achieving sustainable employment outcomes. The department promotes employment in the state through Wisconsin Job Centers, links youth with jobs of tomorrow, protects and enforces worker's rights, processes unemployment claims, and ensures workers compensation claims are paid in accordance with the law.

There are six divisions within the Department which is headed by a Secretary appointed by the Governor.

DWD Divisions

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Amy Pechacek - Secretary
Secretary Pechacek's Bio

Pamela McGillivray - Deputy Secretary
Deputy Secretary McGillivray's Bio

Jennifer Sereno - Assistant Deputy Secretary
Assistant Deputy Secretary Sereno's Bio

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Michele Carter - 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

Ramona Natera - 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.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Lynda Jarstad - Administrator
Provides various administrative support services to the program divisions.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Jim Chiolino - 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

Meredith Dressel - 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

John Dipko - 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

Job Center Locations

Wisconsin's Job Centers provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to workforce development services.

Wisconsin Job Center Locations

Vocational Rehabilitation Service Locations

Staff at the Vocation Rehabilitation Service locations provide employment services and counseling to people with disabilities, provide or arrange for services to enable an individual to go to work, and provide training and technical assistance to employers regarding disability employment issues.

DVR Service/Office Locations

Need help finding DWD? Driving Directions | Building Access Map

DWD Related Agencies

Veterans' Employment and Training Service (US Dept. of Labor)
P.O. BOX 8310
Madison, WI 53708

(608) 266-3110