Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Contact: Tony Jewell (608) 267-7303

MADISON – Gov. Tommy G. Thompson today announced that Eau Claire County’s Career Passport Program was this month’s selection for the Governor’s Workforce Innovation Award (WIN), which recognizes individuals and organizations that create innovative approaches and outside-of-the-box solutions to develop and sustain Wisconsin’s workforce.

The program is a credentialing process that integrates work and training and provides guaranteed documentation of an individual’s workplace skills.  The career passport is a portfolio that can be shared with prospective employers.

"This program is a perfect example of cooperation between education and business, and the public and private sectors working together to enhance the skill level of Wisconsin’s workforce," Gov. Thompson said. "The Career Passport Program exemplifies what the WIN Award is all about."

The major objectives of the Career Passport Program are to enable participants to obtain employment in a higher than minimum wage position, help participants identify and record the skills they possess, provide the opportunity and encouragement to develop new skills, and provide personal support for each participant.

The program was developed through a collaborative effort by the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services, L.E. Phillip’s Career Development Center, Chippewa Valley Technical College, and Literacy Volunteers of America.

Upon completing the program, participants can market their skills through their passport, which is earned through careful assessment of skills and development of new skills by on-the-job supervisors and instructors.

The career passport contains a letter guaranteeing skills for six months from the date of the letter, achievement credentials documenting technical skills, a certificate of employability skills, high school diploma, achievement recognition, resume and letters of recommendation.

The WIN award is presented each month to highlight innovative approaches and solutions to overcoming barriers to work, empowering individuals to move up the job ladder, and partnering with employers, educators and local government to do what works to build a stronger workforce.

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