MADISON (WITI) – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary (DWD) Reggie Newson announces the DWD's intent to award nearly $4 million in worker training grants to help 57 employers develop in-demand skills for almost 3,600 workers through Round 3 of Governor Walker's Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) initiative.
"The Wisconsin Fast Forward program is moving Wisconsin's economy forward," Secretary Newson said. "With each round of grant awards, word is spreading about the program's effectiveness and its positive impact on hundreds of employers and thousands of employees while helping to fuel economic growth and position the state as the nation's talent development leader."
In July, Secretary Newson announced the availability of an additional $8 million in grants to support customized training opportunities in nine industries. Of this, the DWD is awarding nearly $4 million in the following industries:
DWD previously announced plans to distribute over $6 million in WFF grants for over 170 businesses throughout the state. This latest announcement makes approximately $10 million available to equip more than 10,200 current and new workers with the high-demand skills that are required by almost 230 employers.
Early last year, Governor Walker proposed the $15 million WFF grant initiative, which lawmakers quickly approved with overwhelming bipartisan support. WFF encourages partnerships between employers, training partners and workforce and economic development organizations, and awards grants to support customized training solutions for skilled workers.
The WFF program is administered by the DWD Office of Skills Development (OSD), which has developed an effective process that enables businesses to easily apply for grants. Applications are evaluated by representatives from OSD, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Technical College System, and local chambers of commerce.
DWD expects to make additional WFF – Round 3 grant announcements in the coming weeks for innovative training projects in the financial services, information technology, customer service, small business, health care and agriculture industries.