Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce:

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Nine Cabinet Agencies Join with Wisconsin Workforce Development Association to Lead Event on Workforce Priorities, Removing Barriers

LA CROSSE – Employers, educators, community leaders, nonprofit service providers, and more are encouraged to attend an event on workforce priorities and removing barriers. The event will feature Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Wisconsin Technical College System President Morna K. Foy; nine cabinet agencies, and small group discussions on workforce development services and support; housing and neighborhood investment; talent attraction and retention; health care licensing; veterans initiatives; ag industry jobs; healthcare and the workforce; childcare; and broadband.

The free event, part of the Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce series, is being held in La Crosse on April 12, 2023, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Radisson Center Ballroom, 300 Front Street South, La Crosse, WI 54601. The event is being organized by Wisconsin's regional Workforce Development Boards, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and other partners. Interested participants can learn more and register here.

The La Crosse event will lead off with brief, high-energy remarks by the cabinet and workforce leaders, then those leaders will facilitate breakout discussions with participants in pre-registered groups. The groups will tackle questions related to removing employment barriers and identifying workforce priorities. The event will conclude with report-outs back to audience as a whole.

Featured leaders at the event include:

Wisconsin Workforce Development Association Executive Committee Chairman Anthony Snyder;
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez;
DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek;
Wisconsin Technical College System President Morna K. Foy;
Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld;
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO and Secretary Missy Hughes;
Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dan Hereth;
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Bond;
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski;
Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge;
Department of Children and Families Division of Early Care and Education Administrator Priya Bhatia; and
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Commissioner Tyler Huebner.

"Gov. Evers and our administration have been working like never before to help our people, our communities, and our economy thrive," said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. "The upcoming Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event in La Crosse will provide an important opportunity for stakeholders to discuss how we can recruit and retain talented workers, build a workforce for the future, and reduce barriers to work across our state."

"Wisconsin's economy is continuing to set records, yet we also face workforce challenges due to demographic and other trends that have been decades in the making," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "We believe the collaboration that is underway among Wisconsin's 11 regional workforce development boards, the private sector, educational institutions, and economic development partners will make our state's economy even more competitive and resilient. We are excited to learn more from our stakeholders to help guide future workforce investments and services."

The state's 11 workforce development areas feature integrated business service teams that work with employers to find solutions when it comes to recruiting qualified workers, retaining well-trained employees, accessing workforce planning resources, and building staff diversity through a broad pool of skilled job candidates.

The La Crosse event kicks off the second round of the Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce series. The first round of 10 events ran statewide from Feb. 14 to March 16 and provided an overview of resources, key labor market data and the importance of focusing on homegrown talent. Subsequent events will highlight efforts to promote workforce participation and build workforce capacity through technology and training. Register here for the April 12 event.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.