2. News Room

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*UPDATED* DWD, Regional Partners Announce Mobile Lab Visits, Additional Efforts to Support Health Care Workforce Following HSHS & Prevea Closures

EAU CLAIRE – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the West Central Works Workforce Development Board are continuing efforts to assist workers impacted by recent healthcare industry announcements in the Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley, and surrounding regions.

On Feb.7, DWD and the West Central workforce development board hosted a community job fair to connect affected workers with regional employers. The fair attracted more than 80 employers and hundreds of job seekers. A second job fair is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eau Claire Event Center, 5633 20th Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703. The Feb. 20 event already has more than 60 employers registered and will be open to the public.

Learn more about and participate in the Feb. 20 job fair through the following contacts:

• Employer Contact: Carlene M. Volbrecht, Department of Workforce Development, Employment & Training Specialist, 715-679-5546, Carlene.volbrecht@dwd.wisconsin.gov
• Worker Contact: Yolanda LeCount, Operations Manager, Workforce Resource Inc., 877-711-9390 ext.1536, lecounty@workforceresource.org
• Additional Contact: Deb Nichols, VP Business Solutions, West Central Works Workforce Development Board, 715-505-5486, dnichols@wdbwcw.org

Rapid Response, Mobile Career Lab Events Scheduled

The West Central Works Workforce Development Board is holding information sessions for impacted workers, with DWD's mobile career lab on site, at the following locations:

• Chippewa Falls: TODAY, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Prevea Chippewa Falls Health Center, 2509 County Hwy I, Chippewa Falls. The session will take place in the MOB Conference Room.
• Rice Lake: Thursday Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Prevea Rice Lake Health Center, 1051 West Ave., Rice Lake.

The information sessions will highlight the Rapid Response process and resources available through the local workforce development system for impacted workers. DWD's mobile job lab also will be on site to offer support with resume development, interview preparation, and more.

DWD's Job Centers in the region also offer help with job searches, career exploration, recruitment assistance, and various other services. To find a listing of job centers by county, visit DWD's Directory of Workforce Services.

About the Dislocated Worker Program

The Dislocated Worker Program provides transition assistance to workers and companies affected by permanent worker layoffs. The rapid response teams help companies and worker representatives develop and implement a practical transition plan based on the size of the layoff event. Types of services include:

• Pre-layoff workshops on a variety of topics, such as resume writing and interviewing, job search strategies, and budgeting;
• Provision of information about programs and resources through written materials and information sessions; and
• Career and resource fairs.

Workers affected by permanent layoff may also access basic re-employment services at no charge through the state's Job Centers. Some services, including training assistance, may be an option for some workers after enrolling in one or more of DWD's workforce development programs.

Additional information on the Rapid Response Team process is available online.

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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.