FVWDB NEWS

 

Is On-the-Job Training Right for Your Company?

The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board can help you determine whether an On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunity is right for your company. Funding for OJT might be as high as 50 percent for up to six months. However, the level of funding is determined on a case-by-case basis and can only be determined after the job has been classified and training needs/methods have been identified. Some of the guidelines for OJT eligibility are that participants must be eligible for Workforce Investment Act funding. A case manager at a workforce development center can determine the eligibility. The eligibility must be determined prior to consideration of an OJT contract and prior to hiring. OJT reimbursements are not a wage subsidy but are intended to be a reimbursement for training that is over and above the normal training that would be provided to new hires. OJT would not be appropriate if a participant already has the skills to do the job. To learn more about OJT opportunities and whether one would be a good fit to assist with your hiring needs, contact the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board Business Services at 920.720.5600.

 

Training Lower Wage Employees Can Lead to Higher Returns

A growing number of companies, large and small, are investing in training lower-wage workers. A new study, "From Hidden Costs to High Returns: Unlocking the Potential of the Lower-Wage Workforce," indicates that employers are creating career pathways for low-skilled, low wage workers. In interviews with nearly five dozen American companies in 2009, with emphasis on manufacturing and health care, employers described deliberate efforts to train lower wage workers, develop skills, build loyalty and quality-consciousness, and create opportunity for wage increases. In every case, employers recommended these same efforts to other employers - often citing measurable benefits and bottom line returns. Some of the benefits found in the study included increased customer satisfaction, decreased costs as errors diminished, improved employee productivity and morale, drop in costs related to turnover, and improved company image among both customers and employees. The complete study can be found at:

http://www.insightcced.org/uploads/publications/wd/HiddenCosts-HighReturns.pdf

 

The State of Working Wisconsin 2010

The Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) has released the 2010 State of Working Wisconsin (SOWW). The SOWW is a biennial report that uses data on wages, family incomes, taxes, unemployment, and wealth and poverty to examine the impact of the economy on the living standards of Wisconsin's workers and their families. Download the report at: http://www.cows.org/pdf/rp-soww-10.pdf.

 

FVWDB EVENTS

 

Northeast Wisconsin Business Plan Contest Winners Announced

On March 21, five finalists in the Northeast Wisconsin Business Plan Contest presented their business plans. After hearing their presentations, the judging panel awarded the following:

The Contest is organized and sponsored by the Northeast Wisconsin Regional Economic Partnership.  Other Sponsors include: The New North, Inc., Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, WE Energies, Dominion, Oconto County Economic Development Corporation, East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Goodwill Industries of Northcentral Wisconsin, ADVOCAP, Ripon College Creative Enterprise Center, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - College of Business, Lakeshore Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, and Fox Valley Technical College.


A Focus on STEM

Fox Cities F.O.C.U.S is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) mentoring program designed for students in grades 6-9. The F.O.C.U.S (Fostering Our Communities' Understanding of STEM) pilot program kicked off on Thursday, September 16, when approximately 200 parents, students and STEM professionals from the Fox Cities were welcomed to the James Perry Hall at UW-Fox Valley. At this event, students and parents were introduced to the STEM volunteers in their community. Fourteen different organizations have committed to having their STEM professionals interact with students while they engage in fun and educational hands-on events related to STEM over the next few years.

Fox Cities F.O.C.U.S. is spearheaded by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Career Connection, working in partnership with the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, in efforts to secure a well-educated and skilled future workforce in the Fox Valley region. The Career Connection is collaborating with CESA 6 to help support the existing programs in our community and bridge the gap for ongoing support for our youth.

If your organization employs STEM professionals, and you would like more information on how you can participate in this initiative, please contact Patty Milka, Kathy Rank or Jill Valdez at the Career Connection office, 920.720.0406; email: info@career-connection.com.

 

Volunteer for Junior Achievement

The Fond du Lac Association of Commerce School to Work Steering Committee is working to bring Junior Achievement to Fond du Lac area schools. Junior Achievement uses a volunteer network to provide in-school programs focusing on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Using partnerships with business and educators, Junior Achievement brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential and preparing them for the world of work. The goal is to bridge the gap between what they learn in school and what they can expect in the world of work, along with having the students learn more about the local businesses.

The program only can succeed with help from men and women from the Fond du Lac area business community who volunteer to teach the Junior Achievement curriculum and share their real-world experiences. Volunteers are asked to commit to five one-hour sessions during a school semester. These five hours can be scheduled any way that works for both the classroom teacher and volunteer. The Steering Committee plans to start Junior Achievement in fifth-grade classes in January. To volunteer or for more information, contact Mary Denzin or Jim Cleveland at the AC School to Work office, (920) 921-9500, or by email: marydenzin@fdlac.com or jimc@fdlac.com.

Contact

For more information, please contact us:

Phone: (920) 720-5600

Email: info@fvwdb.com