This Video Will Shock You (Language NSFW)

This is a video of what happens overseas when our brave troops take the fight to the enemy, instead of the enemy trying to hurt us here at home. The amazing armored vehicle you see here is made in Wisconsin by Oshkosh Corp., and the part that protected these courageous fighters from the mines laid by our enemies is made by Jay Manufacturing, also in Oshkosh. Each one of these “mine rollers” is fabricated with pride and skill, and individually marked with the name of a US service member who was killed by a mine. (Cue the goosebumps as you re-watch the video.)

I visited Jay Manufacturing this week because they are hiring and training more workers and our Department of Workforce Development is helping with the training cost through a grant program we call “Wisconsin Fast Forward”. In total, at two stops, we announced $3.1 m in money to help train more than 1,000 Wisconsin workers in both information technology and advanced manufacturing through both Wisconsin Fast Forward and Short Term Training Grants.

One Stop Shopping for Vets

As it becomes clearer with 3% unemployment that Wisconsin really needs an increasing number of talented workers to jump into our labor force, we’re becoming more creative on how to recruit them. This week in Wausau at WEST, we announced a new website, www.WiscJobsForVets.com, to connect veterans to our economy. If you know a veteran, either here in Wisconsin, or elsewhere who may consider a move, have them visit the site and take a look at how many WI employers are looking for their skills. Additionally, they’ll also see the wonderful suite of benefits they can get by being Wisconsinites! Employers, there’s a portal for you on www.WiscJobsForVets.com, too, so you can easily post your jobs for vets. We know our veterans have in-demand qualifications, so check it out quickly!

Roaring Support for Homeless Folks

I have never seen the type of support for the opening of a homeless shelter that I saw in West Bend this week. Karl’s Place, named after a dedicated community leader, attracted at least 100 people to its opening. The faith-based shelter will offer intense wraparound care and life management services for 14 single men and women. Additionally, there are 4 apartment units readied to help people transition into housing stability. Our Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority helped out by buying the appliances for the units. 

Forward,

Rebecca Kleefisch
Lt. Governor

P.S. Thanks to our Mardi Gras buddies from Louisiana for the King Cake this week!