Dept. of Workforce Dev. Sec. visits Milwaukee Job Corps
4:34 pm, January 31, 2012, by Katie DeLong

DWD secretary Reggie Newson
MILWAUKEE — A recent UW-Milwaukee study that found less than 50 percent of black males living in Milwaukee between the ages of 16 to 64 were employed in 2010 has reached Governor Walker’s office. Now, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is trying to improve these statistics, and get people back to work.
Tuesday, Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson stopped by the Milwaukee Job Corps Center and met with center leaders. Newson says the DWD is increasing its efforts to help employers find the skilled workers they need, and ensure a skilled workforce for generations to come.
Newson says it’s important to highlight places like Milwaukee Job Corps because they provide so many opportunities. “The Governor has set an agenda through his Wisconsin Working Initiative that we can bridge the skills gap here in Wisconsin and the Jobs Center here does that. It bridges the skills gap, and it trains individuals in skilled trades manufacturing and welding, and these are the types of jobs employers are looking for, and the jobs that are available in the marketplace,” Newson said.
Newson spent the day checking out several different programs in the Milwaukee area, including Northcott Neighborhood House and North Division High School’s welding program.