Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Happy #MoneySmartWisconsin Week! 💵   Part of #FinancialLiteracyMonth, this week is all about taking control of your financial future. Our Job Center of Wisconsin offers FREE essential tools to help you plan your finances, including a cost-of-living calculator, budget planner, and more.   Visit MyJCW at jobcenterofwisconsin.com to get started today, and don't forget to check out the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Money Smart Wisconsin website to learn about statewide financial literacy education events happening all month long: bit.ly/420vvAm

Have you been asked about your pregnancy status in a job interview? You need ERD. This #WelcometotheWorkforce Month, find helpful workplace insights with our Equal Rights Division’s library of 80+ videos: bit.ly/W2W-Library

DWD welcomed veterans, employers, and supporters from across the state to the Wisconsin Army National Guard armory in #Appleton this week for the Vets Ready Symposium and Employer Celebration. The event celebrated the 5th anniversary of the Vets Ready Employer Initiative, Wisconsin's premier recognition program for employers who go above and beyond for #veteran employees and their families. Participating partner organizations included Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce (WVCC), Military and Community Resource Network (MCRN), Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Outagamie County Veterans Service Office, and Center for Veterans Issues, Inc. 📢 Are you an employer that supports Wisconsin's veteran workforce? Get ready to apply for a 2025 Vets Ready Employer award -- applications open April 14! Find out more about Vets Ready and other veteran employment services at: bit.ly/WIVetsReady

Friday night fish fry enthusiast, LEGO buff, and proud Kwik Trip, Inc. employee Colton is turning his dreams into reality with support from Wisconsin's Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) initiative. A partnership between DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, CIE is a coordinated approach to ensure individuals with disabilities have the tools they need for success in Wisconsin's workforce. “Some people have limited ideas about what kinds of jobs people with significant disabilities can do, which is wrong. I am an example of what is possible!" Read more about Colton here: bit.ly/CIE-Success

Today, Governor Tony Evers announced that for the second straight year, DWD's Office of Veteran Employment Services has earned a top five ranking nationally for helping #veterans find employment. DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek: “Our veterans bring invaluable experience and skills to the workforce—assets that our state’s employers are looking for to fill high-skill job openings across industries. From on-the-job training to assistance with recruitment and transitional employment programs, our dedicated staff delivers the tools and resources necessary to help veterans thrive.” Read Gov. Evers' full press release for more: bit.ly/4jctnuT

This month, DWD proudly joins Governor Tony Evers in celebrating Welcome to the Workforce Month! Each spring, thousands of #Wisconsin teens and young adults begin their search for summer jobs. Our Welcome to the Workforce video library has answers to the most common questions we hear from kids (and their parents and guardians) about youth work opportunities and rights and responsibilities in the #workforce. Explore the full library today at: bit.ly/W2W-Library #WelcometotheWorkforce #YearoftheKid

REMINDER: The deadline to apply for a Wisconsin Fast Forward Industry Sectors Worker Training Grant is just TWO days away! Submit your application and supporting documents for consideration by 3 p.m. CST on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. To learn more, visit: bit.ly/WFF-DWD

Kathryn Morrison made #Wisconsin history as the first woman elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1974. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Kathryn played a pivotal role in passing Wisconsin's groundbreaking "no-fault" divorce law while representing the 17th district in southwest Wisconsin. Born in 1942 in Madison, she also fought fiercely for gender equality, helping to secure the passage of an important gender equality bill in 1975. In 1976, Kathryn became the first woman appointed to the influential Joint Finance Committee in the Wisconsin State Senate. Although she was defeated for reelection in 1978, her service as a state senator paved the way for her continued leadership in both state and federal government. After leaving the Senate, Kathryn served in President Jimmy Carter’s administration, working in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and as Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Department on Aging. In 1983, she returned to Wisconsin to serve as administrator of the Wisconsin Division of Health. Kathryn's commitment to public service extended beyond Wisconsin, with leadership roles at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and the March of Dimes. We celebrate Kathryn Morrison for her lasting impact on women and families in Wisconsin. #WomensHistoryMonth #WisconsinHistory

Today, Governor Tony Evers announced a new DWD portal and virtual job fair series to support displaced federal workers and other professionals seeking employment opportunities in #Wisconsin. DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek: “Wisconsin is full of people who expect to meet each day with honest work, and our mission is to remove barriers to meaningful careers, advance opportunities, and connect talent with opportunity. For anyone who finds purpose in a good day of challenging work, Wisconsin welcomes you home.” Visit the portal to learn more: dwd.wi.gov/federal-workers

New preliminary seasonally adjusted job totals for February from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics show total nonfarm jobs in Wisconsin fell 6,200 from last month to 3,043,700 while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.2%, below the national average of 4.1%. Read the full labor force summary for more: bit.ly/4c4u9YA