2. News Room

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Setting a Course for Wisconsin's Future Workforce

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Nine Cabinet Agencies Join with Employers and Regional Experts to Discuss Workforce Priorities, Removing Barriers

LA CROSSE – Bold headlines and bright ideas took center stage in La Crosse recently as some 200 workforce experts, employers, and educators joined Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek, Wisconsin Technical College System President Morna K. Foy; and nine other cabinet agency leaders to focus on workforce priorities and removing barriers.

The free event, part of the Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce series, featured 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; justice-involved workers; and broadband.

The small group discussions tackled questions related to removing employment barriers and identifying workforce priorities. Participants were then asked to come up with headlines summarizing their future vision for the state's workforce. Among their suggestions?

• Wisconsin, Where the World's Talent Puts Down Roots.
• Wisconsin, a Place Where Families Want – and Can – Live and Work. No Barriers, No Boundaries.
• Wisconsin, a Healthy Place to Live and Work.
• Finally! Housing and Childcare Options for All: Innovative Neighborhood Programs Spark Vitality in Aging Communities.

The participants backed up their headlines of the future with bold ideas to address the state's workforce quantity challenge. Among the ideas:

• Increase access to quality childcare, health care, transportation, broadband, and housing;
• Build a talent pipeline from "K to gray";
• Expand the Apprenticeship earn-and-learn model to more fields, including more health care opportunities;
• Strengthen public-private partnerships;
• Increase efforts to expand the labor force through talent attraction, retention, and untapped labor pools; and
• Support financial literacy.

"Gov. Evers and our administration have made unprecedented investments in workforce development, and we are delivering results with a thriving economy," said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. "At the same time, we need fresh ideas to combat demographic trends and accelerate our efforts to recruit and retain talented workers, build a workforce for the future, and reduce employment barriers across our state. We're grateful to all who participated at the recent Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce event in La Crosse, and we anticipate more opportunities for engagement in the months ahead."

"With record low unemployment and a record high number of jobs in Wisconsin, workforce development is top of mind as we help employers leverage homegrown talent and remain competitive," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "The responses and engagement we are seeing through the Winning with Wisconsin's Workforce series indicate we are on the right track. Yet it's also clear more needs to be done and the insights we are gaining from our stakeholders will continue to inform our strategies and tactics."

The La Crosse event was organized by Wisconsin's regional Workforce Development Boards, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and other partners. Featured leaders at the event included:

• 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-designee Kathy Blumenfeld;
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO and Secretary Missy Hughes;
• Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dan Hereth;
• Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski;
• Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr;
• Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Chris McElgunn;
• 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.

The state's 11 workforce development areas offer 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 kicked 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. The events will continue with more opportunities for statewide participation during the third and fourth quarters of 2023.

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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.