At the most general level, Racine’s economic and workforce goals are the same: to create a prosperous, competitive and growing economy. Traditionally, economic development policies have focused on the needs of business for infrastructure, financing, fast permitting and favorable taxes, while workforce development policies focused on the needs of the unemployed and disadvantaged workers. Growing shortages of skilled workers have targeted the attention of both workforce and economic development managers on improving the skills of the workforce at large in order to prepare today’s job seekers for productive careers in the “new economy.” 

We are the “one-stop” center that offers a myriad of federally funded employment and training programs at one location. Operationally, the WDC offers a comprehensive menu of talent development services for both job seekers and the business community. Services are available across a range of intensity from self-service through very specialized services. The design is intended to provide as little or as much assistance as directed by the customer.

One of the unique attributes of the Workforce Development Board, and the many partners with whom we collaborate, is our ability to work well with others and to pool resources in order to better serve the common needs of our community. No effort better demonstrates the power of this collaboration than the Communitywide Workforce Development Strategic Plan Initiative. This initiative is a partnership between the private sector and public sector, bringing together community leaders to address the current and future needs of existing employers; ensuring that the needs of emerging industries are met and addressing the high unemployment and low educational attainment levels of some of our residents.