Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary

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
Oct. 30, 2025
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD Biennial Report Highlights Achievements in Delivering Workforce Services

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced the availability of its 2023-2025 Biennial Report to the Governor and members of the Legislature, detailing a period that included unprecedented progress for Wisconsin workers and showcasing the achievements of DWD and its partners in efficiently delivering effective and inclusive workforce services.

During the biennium, which ran from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, Wisconsin’s workforce shattered record after record, including:

By October 2023, the number of jobs in the state had reached an all-time high for three consecutive months.
In 2024, the jobs numbers continued to grow, setting eight consecutive months of record-high employment.
The biennium saw Wisconsin maintain a 2.9% unemployment rate through the majority of 2024. Nine counties in the state, most of which are in Northern Wisconsin, saw the lowest unemployment levels in recorded history.
Apprenticeship continued its record-breaking pace in Wisconsin. Youth Apprenticeship saw record participation for the fourth consecutive year during the 2024-25 school year. Registered Apprenticeship set records for three consecutive years, and new pathways offered earn-as-you-learn options to start careers in healthcare, public safety, technology, education, and other growing fields.
More people with disabilities participated in the workforce in 2024 than ever before.
These accomplishments came as Governor Tony Evers declared 2024 the Year of the Worker and DWD continued to implement the administration’s $158 million investment called the Workforce Solutions Initiative (WSI), which bolstered local, innovative programs in every corner of our state.

“Wisconsin’s record-breaking workforce accomplishments during this period are part of a broad vision from the Evers Administration that seeks to connect people with jobs and help their career advancement through training," DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “While the nation’s economic outlook and federal funding priorities have clouded or shifted, it is essential to note the progress and achievements for Wisconsin workers in recent years.”

Key highlights from DWD’s 2023-2025 Biennial Report include:

WSI, which invested $158 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), continued to build on Wisconsin’s leadership in workforce development to advance the state’s economic competitiveness. The funding supported three initiatives: Workforce Innovation Grants (WIG) to encourage regions and local communities to develop long-term solutions for workforce challenges; the Workforce Advancement Initiative (WAI) to work with local employers on subsidized employment and skills training; and the Worker Connection Program to help those seeking to reengage with the job market and expand their opportunities. So far, WSI has impacted over 34,000 Wisconsinites.
DWD led the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence which brought together business leaders, educators, policymakers, and labor leaders to examine how AI and automation will reshape Wisconsin’s businesses and job market. The AI task force published an advisory action plan with policy recommendations in the areas of education, government, workforce development, and economic development in July 2024. These policy recommendations influenced funding in Wisconsin’s 2025-2027 Biennial Budget, 2025 Act 15.
DWD bolstered relationships with the state’s 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations through annual consultations, virtual engagement opportunities, visits to Tribal Nations, and other projects. Tribal Nations continue to have a significant impact on the state’s economy and workforce, providing employment opportunities throughout the state.
For the second consecutive year, DWD's Office of Veterans Employment Services in 2024 led Wisconsin to retain its ranking as fourth in the nation for successfully helping veterans connect with employment after they have returned to civilian life.
DWD's Equal Rights Division recovered nearly $2.3 million in lost wages for Wisconsin workers over the biennium. Most of these wages were small awards collected on behalf of individuals.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation experienced its highest demand for services in 10 years in 2024, contributing to Wisconsin’s record high employment rate for individuals with disabilities for the second consecutive year.
The Uninsured Employer Fund (UEF), collected by the Worker’s Compensation Division from unlawfully uninsured employers, assessed $14.3 million in penalties on 8,223 employers for illegally operating without worker’s compensation insurance over the biennium. The success of the UEF team in collecting these payments advances worker protections by ensuring there are available resources to satisfy all claims by injured workers.
Worker’s compensation rates covering on-the-job injuries dropped for the eighth and ninth years in a row over the biennium, saving Wisconsin employers on policies.

Read DWD’s 2023-2025 Biennial Report

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.