2. News Room

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

Wisconsin DWD Announces Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Awards

Six awards made to support workforce training programs across multiple industries

MADISON – Today, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced six contracted grant projects that were awarded through Governor Walker's flagship Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) worker training grant program. Those projects will serve eight Wisconsin businesses and train over 400 workers. In total, DWD awarded over $1.3 million in funds.

"With Wisconsin's booming economy providing more opportunities to Wisconsin workers than ever before, the WFF program allows new and incumbent workers to skill-up and skill-in to rewarding careers," DWD Secretary Ray Allen said. "The innovative worker training programs funded through this award will not only benefit the workers involved but will help the involved employers grow their own pipeline of skilled talent, allowing them to remain competitive for years to come."

Grant funding was provided for the following projects:

• Pierce Manufacturing was awarded $112,750 and will partner with Fox Valley Technical College to provide training to 80 incumbent workers leading to an Electrician Certificate. Training will consist of a combination of 40 hours of classroom instruction and six months of on-the-job training.
• Nestle USA was awarded $400,000 to develop curriculum and provide training for 45 incumbent new hire and 77 incumbent workers for a total of 122 trainees. Training will consist of a mix of classroom and on-the-job experience. New hires will receive approximately six months of training and incumbent workers will receive 11 weeks.
• Schneider National Carriers will provide training for 100 unemployed workers, partnering with one of three external training providers (Fox Valley Technical College, Heavy Metal Truck training and 160 Driving Academy) where trainees will complete a customized truck driving course prior to attending Schneider's finishing school. Training will be a combination of classroom and on-the-job instruction.
• The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin was awarded $386,000 and is partnering with UW Health to train 33 unemployed and 27 incumbent workers for a total of 60 trainees. The individuals will be trained as Certified Medical Assistants for placement at UW Health or other partnering organizations including SSM and Unity-Point-Meriter. Trainees will receive eight hours of classroom instruction per week for 22 weeks followed by 16 hours of clinical instruction for 24 weeks.
• Rosewood Dairy received a grant totaling $49,850 to help develop curriculum and provide training to one unemployed and one incumbent worker for a total of two trainees. Additionally, Rosewood will partner with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for math and soft-skill courses and seminars provided by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for food safety and sanitation. Trainees will be trained to be Cheesemakers and receive 20 months of training.
• The Next Door Foundation was awarded a grant in the amount of $59,120 to partner with Madison College to train 48 unemployed workers. Trainees will receive 120 hours of formal early childhood training required for the Child Development Associate credential as well as completing a practicum.

For more information on the Wisconsin Fast Forward program visit http://wisconsinfastforward.com/