2. News Room

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 21, 2018
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
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DWD Assistant Deputy Secretary Dernbach Visits Marshfield, Highlights Youth Apprenticeship and DVR Programs

Dernbach presents at Marshfield YA Recognition Breakfast, visits Marshfield Medical Center

MARSHFIELD – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Assistant Deputy Secretary BJ Dernbach highlighted DWD's local workforce development efforts today with a presentation at the Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Recognition Breakfast at Hotel Marshfield, followed by an afternoon visit to vocational rehabilitation partners at Marshfield Medical Center. The breakfast event honored the Central Wisconsin Consortia's latest round of YA program graduates. During the program, Assistant Deputy Secretary provided a brief overview of YA, citing the increased support from Governor Walker that led to a record 4,324 youth enrolled in the YA program statewide this year.

"Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship is providing high school juniors and seniors with the foundation they need to achieve their dreams by combining classroom learning with work-based experiences," Assistant Deputy Secretary Dernbach said. "I would like to congratulate today's graduates and thank Marshfield area parents, school district officials and businesses for recognizing the value that a strong Youth Apprenticeship program brings to their local labor market."

Later, Assistant Deputy Secretary Dernbach met with officials at Marshfield Medical Center, which supports employing individuals with disabilities through DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The medical center is one of more than two dozen sites for Project SEARCH, which is a business led collaboration that enables youth and young adults with disabilities to gain and maintain employment through training and career exploration in a hands-on work environment.

Marshfield Medical Center recently hosted a Project SEARCH Graduation Ceremony to honor seven individuals with disabilities who graduated from the program. Several received offers of employment from Marshfield Medical Center. The center also has employed many other DVR consumers through the years.

"Marshfield Medical Center has been a great employer partner," Assistant Deputy Secretary Dernbach said. "It's employers like the Marshfield Medical Center that are raising awareness of the many skills that individuals with disabilities bring to their workforce, which is vital to the success of the program and the lifetime of achievement that these talented men and women find through the dignity of work."

For more information on DWD's Youth Apprenticeship Program.

For more information on DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.