Enhancing Wisconsin’s Workforce with the
Wisconsin Career Creator Plan
This week, we unveiled an additional strategy
to support and enhance Wisconsin’s workforce by expanding existing initiatives
and moving forward with brand new approaches to meeting our workforce needs.
We want to reward hardworking, conscientious
students when they go above and beyond their regular coursework. That’s why
we’re providing an additional $5 million in grants and scholarships for high
schoolers participating in dual-enrollment programs at qualifying colleges.
Students earn credits towards a four-year degree while challenging themselves
and saving time and money.
We’re also investing $7 million in
scholarships to help enhance Wisconsin’s workforce so people can earn new
skills and education credentials. These more highly-skilled workers will have
better opportunities to advance in their careers and increased access to
high-demand jobs as a result.
The Wisconsin Technical College System will
receive $2 million in support to help maximize Wisconsin’s workforce
participation by recruiting, retaining, and successfully credentialing some of
the hardest-to-serve populations.
We’re also providing $6 million for the
Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to pursue exciting new workforce
development programs, including creating all-new “Sector Centers” in Advanced
Manufacturing and Healthcare to address the recruitment and training needs of
employers in those sectors; expanding Wisconsin’s successful Youth
Apprenticeship Program to middle school students; and utilizing mobile job
centers to allow access to job search and training resources wherever they are
most needed.
We’re excited to enact these reforms and keep
improving the well-trained, dependable workforce Wisconsin is known for.
Supporting Wisconsin’s Rural Schools
It’s a moral imperative that every child,
regardless of where they live, has access to a great education. Here in
Wisconsin, realizing that vision is one of our key priorities.
That’s why we now invest more actual dollars
into our schools than ever before. This year, we supplied an additional $200
for every student in every schools in the state, and next school year we’ll be
adding another $204 on top of that.
That’s great news for Wisconsin’s schools,
students, and families, but there’s more work to be done. We’re also dedicated
to helping our rural school districts overcome the unique obstacles they face.
To support rural schools, we provided new funding
for high transportation costs, for school mental health services, and for new
technology upgrades and expanded broadband access.
Now, we’re renewing our call to add an
additional $100 per student in Sparsity Aid for small, rural schools. I want to
thank State Representative John Nygren and Senator Howard Marklein for their
help in putting this plan together, along with State Representative Jeff Mursau
for his leadership on this pressing issue. The plan also allows low revenue
spending districts to get in line with other school districts across the state.
Our reforms are bolstering every school in
Wisconsin, and we’ll continue working to ensure all Wisconsin’s students
have access to a great education and the potential to excel. It’s one more way
we’re moving Wisconsin forward.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy
This past Monday, Wisconsinites and Americans
celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, honoring Dr. King’s incredible life and
his resounding legacy.
We would do well to remember his wisdom that
there is far more that unites us than divides us, and to follow his example in
working with dedication for a better tomorrow despite adversities along the
way.
We enjoy sharing all the great news about our state with you. It is an honor to serve as your Governor and represent the people of Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
 Governor Scott Walker
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