Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Friday, August 17, 2001 Governor Scott McCallum Secretary Jennifer Reinert

News Media Contact Christopher Marschman 608/261-6705 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784

MADISON – The State of Wisconsin and the Province of Quebec have established a joint exchange program for young people to help them improve their occupational skills and facilitate their entry into the labor market by participating in internships in Wisconsin and Quebec communities.

The three year agreement, developed by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Office Quebec-Ameriques Pour La Jeunesse (OQAJ), is a cooperation agreement directed at developing partnerships that benefit both Wisconsin and Quebec in areas such as vocational and technical training, manpower development and positive youth development. The internships are geared for individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who are unemployed, underemployed or lack employment qualifications.

"This is a great opportunity for young people of Wisconsin and of Quebec to acquire new skills that are useful in the current context of globalization and continental integration," said DWD Secretary Jennifer Reinert. "Beyond the benefits of teaching young people valuable employment skills, this program will contribute to the cultural enrichment of our youth and help develop lasting relations between our two communities," she said.

Wisconsin currently has two young people serving internships in Quebec, Andrea Hibbler, from Milwaukee, is working at a cheese factory and Wesley Kulinski, from Green Bay, is working at a canning factory. Quebec has three young people serving internships in Wisconsin; Raphael Plante and Annick Cheeney, from Saint-Hyacinthe, currently work at McCullough Plumbing, Madison, and Alain D’Auteuil, from Saint-Rosalie, is working at Production Machine, also located in Madison.

Interviews with interns can be arranged.

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