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  2. News Room
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Tony Evers, Governor
Caleb Frostman, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

DWD Awards Waukesha County Technical College the Expanded Wisconsin Fast Forward Training in County Jails Grant

Grant funding will serve to train at least 60 inmates at the Waukesha County Jail.

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded nearly $75,000 to Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) through the Expanded Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) – Training in County Jails grant program. The grant will train at least 60 inmates at the Waukesha County Jail in partnership between WCTC, Forward Careers, Inc., and DWD.

The purpose of the grant is to:

  1. Increase the work readiness of jail inmates through job search and employment skills development prior to being released,
  2. Increase employment post-release, and
  3. Reduce recidivism.

Grant funds will be used to provide inmates with career development in the areas of commercial truck driving or food preparation, occupational academic training, employability skills, and training using the Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Offenders Seeking Employment (CBI-EMP) curriculum. Individuals who successfully complete the training and demonstrate competence will receive a certificate of completion that can be shared with potential employers. After release, these individuals will receive support accessing resources, finding a job or continued educational training, and/or obtaining on-the-job training.

"The best tool we have for preventing recidivism is a living wage job," Secretary Caleb Frostman said. "We know that when individuals leave a facility with in-demand skills or a job already lined up, they are far more likely to succeed, personally and professionally. This administration is committed to investing in re-entry workforce initiatives. By linking career readiness skills and career counseling, I am proud that this Fast Forward grant will help incarcerated individuals prepare for work upon release."