Unemployed, employers encouraged to apply for state's W3 program

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Workers Win (W3) program has opened to eligible employers and those on unemployment. The program connects the unemployed with up to six weeks of training at a worksite of an employer with a current job opening.

Participants and employers should contact three organizations that have teamed up with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to administer the program. They include:

To be eligible for the program, participants must have begun receiving unemployment benefits on or after April 1, 2012, and must be in the first 20 weeks of regular state unemployment benefits. They must also live within one of the three workforce development areas designated for the pilot.

In addition to continuing on unemployment benefits, trainees also receive a $75 weekly stipend to help offset additional costs of training. The pilot phase is expected to serve approximately 500 training participants through June 30, 2013.

CLICK HERE for more information on the W3 Program via the DWD's website.