WDC In The News!  The articles below have appeared in the Racine Journal Times covering topics including the Workforce Development Center and it's activities or initiatives plus topics aimed at Job Seekers. - August 9, 2009 - Training program stresses 'soft' skills. “Soft skills” and job experience were paramount for those who constructed the E3 job training program. The first two weeks consisted of training the youths, with a hard focus on “soft” skills such as workplace etiquette and teamwork.
- August 9, 2009 - E3: Stimulus money used to ‘employ, enrich, engage’ local youths. Not all federal stimulus money is building highways, bridges and the like. Here, a good chunk of it is building job skills in young people.
- July 23, 2009 - First Lady to visit the Shakespeare Urban Garden Planting summer youth employment program worksite sponsored by the Racine County Workforce Development Center on Thursday, July 30th. The worksite is the Racine Literacy Council.
- June 22, 2009 - More than 200 area youths started their first day of work Monday. The Racine County Workforce Development Center’s eight-week Youth Employment and Training program, which on Monday was renamed Employing Youth, Engaging Racine, Enriching Earth, or E3, kicked off at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 900 Wood Road.
- March 10, 2009 - The seminar title alone, “Downsizing With Dignity,” said so much. In a grim reflection of this recession, Tuesday’s two-hour seminar was a how-to and how-not-to lop off chunks of a work force. The Racine County Workforce Development Center sponsored the event at the Center for Advanced technology and Innovation, 2320 Renaissance Blvd. Ironically, three of the five panelists, all veteran human resources professionals, have lost their corporate jobs and are consulting.
- March 1, 2009 - The key to a successful job hunt or career decision is developing and utilizing available information to your advantage. The Internet is a gold mine for all types of information, including career-related issues. Here are some of the best sites out there for job seekers. Read this article for more!
- January 26, 2009 - One of the last things Daryl Hawkins expected to be learning in his welding boot camp was art. But the Gateway Technical College welding boot camp culminated with the students creating a group art project. The metal sculpture, “Higher Expectations,” was the capstone project for the 11 students who started the boot camp last September. Read this article for more about welding as art!
- November 26, 2008 - An excerpt from Scene & Heard regarding a fall, after-school program funded, in part, by the WDC.
- October 16, 2008 - The Workforce Development Center (WDC) offers a many different services. Those services include, among others, job search assistance, interviewing skill improvement and resume development. All of these services are free. Check out this article to find out more!
- August 22, 2008 - So, have you been a good listener?
- August 7, 2008 - Racine County Workforce Development Center (WDC): Services for ALL
- June 8, 2008 - Getting invited back just might mean you are self confident!
- October 10, 2007 - Local leaders target area's economic woes: Strategic planning an effort to address employment needs
- June 12, 2006 - 'There are no second-class veterans': Service Officer
Below are news stories that have appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. - UW-Parkside Mentoring Program, November 3, 2008 - Some people in LeRoy Petersen’s social circle don’t understand his relationship with Christian, a teenager he’s mentored for more than three years. One friend jumped to conclusions after hearing that Christian’s parents are Spanish-speaking immigrants. "The person said, ‘Oh, you’re teaching him English,’ " Petersen recalled. "I said, ‘He and I are learning French together. He speaks English very well.’ " Read this article to find out more...
- CNC Boot Camp, July 27, 2008 - Ahmad Hattix looks preoccupied as he is about to be relaunched. It could be because he has spectators — his father, his fiancée, young children bouncing around in a hallway at Gateway Technical College in Racine, where he’s about to graduate. Maybe he’s just eager to get moving. Read this article to find out more...
- Racine County to study work force, October 10, 2007
- A Smart Jobs Equation, October 21, 2007
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel In a message dated 1/17/2010 7:03:59 A.M. Central Standard Time, dustin.block@gmail.com writes: 'Launching Green Businesses' conference attracts would-be entrepreneurs Posted: 16 Jan 2010 03:50 PM PST  Keynote speaker Tom Szaky at the Launching Green Business conference on Jan. 12 at UW-Parkside.
About 30 people sat around three tables at a "Launching Green Business" conference this week with ideas and questions. The ideas, all of them, were seeds for successful businesses in Racine and Kenosha that would create jobs. The questions, nearly all of them, were how to get from idea to reality.
I was there to write about the three-hour conference, but also to learn more about how RacinePost can grow into a successful business. So I was both journalist and participant, which creates the opportunity of writing about the conference as an "insider." (And, in case you're wondering, we consider RacinePost a "green" business in that we're entirely paperless.) Fortunately, there were many better business ideas than an online newspaper. The man sitting next to me was an electrical engineer who used equipment to evaluate manufacturing plants and pinpoint where energy was being wasted. He can actually calculate how much money a company can save by making changes to their processes. Two other people at our table saw homeowners searching for ways to cut their energy bills, but not sure where best to spend money on improvements. Their business would guide homeowners through the "greening" process and help them make smart decisions. A woman at our table had a contact with the bamboo industry in the U.S. and was exploring ways to produce items made from bamboo, which grows from seed to a usable size in five years. Another woman wanted to convert an industrial building in Racine into environmentally friendly artistic space. Other tables had an equally wide range of ideas spanning the industrial, commercial and residential sectors. But like anyone new to entrepreneurship, many were unsure how to get money to start a business, how to run a business once they get startup capital, and then how to market their products to customers.  Three participants at the Jan. 12 "Launching Green Businesses" conference at UW-Parkside The conference offered resources to participants. First, along with the entrepreneurs, the room was filled with local small business experts who help new businesses get off the ground. Second, participants received an extensive list of grants, training opportunities and tax breaks for new businesses. Third, entrepreneurs were eligible to receive one of 20 free scholarships to a 13-week business planning class that typically costs $1,000 to participate. The entire program was organized by UW-Parkside and its Small Business Development Center, the Racine County Workforce Development Center, RAMAC, RCEDC, green Racine, Gateway Technical College and the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation. Along with networking, conference organizers brought in two keynote speakers. Tera Johnson, CEO of Wisconsin Specialty Protein, discussed how she raised $14 million to build an organic whey protein plant in Reedsburg, Wis. The key for her company, Johnson said, was finding a niche in the dairy industry that was untapped by anyone else in the world. Johnson's company is the only company to produce organic cow and goat whey powders that can be used in baby formulas and nutritional products. Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle Inc., impressed the audience with his story of building one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. - all while being just 27 years old. Szaky's company helps consumers collect waste and then "upcycle" into thousands of products that are sold in Walmart, Whole Foods and other companies in five countries. I left the conference impressed with the entrepreneurs and their ideas, and with the number of support organizations and experts interested in helping small businesses grow in Racine and Kenosha. With high unemployment rates and more businesses leaving than coming, entrepreneurship seems like a critically important way to build (rebuild?) the local economy. One conference organizer said most entrepreneur's conferences are happy to get a handful of people with ideas for businesses. This conference had about 30 people with ideas, and those were just the ones who could attend. But there's a big difference between an idea and a business. The challenge for all new businesses is to convert thoughts into reality. The "Launching Green Business" conference was an effort to do just that. For the sake of our local economy, let's hope it works.  Tera Johnson, CEO of Wisconsin Specialty Products
The Racine Insider publishes an article each month covering topics written about by Workforce Devemopment Center staff and covering a wide range of topics. January 2010 - County Executive Bill McReynolds announced the availability of grants for local businesses. Each program is targeted at small- to medium-sized businesses based in Racine County: one to manufacturing businesses, regardless of ownership, and one to minority-owned businesses, regardless of type. Each program provides matching grants. Read this months article to find out more. October 2009 - Job Search with Industry and Occupation Data. Nowadays, everyone looking for a job knows to check for job listings and leads on-line. But did you know that there are many other ways that the internet can help you advance your career? Here is some helpful advice from the professionals at the Racine County Workforce Development Center (WDC). Read this months article to find out more! September 2009 - Free Energy audits! Together We Save. Needed--100 Homes. Free Energy Audits for City of Racine Homeowners. One hundred City of Racine homeowners can get free energy inspections performed by young workers through the “Together We Save” project led by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Check out this months article to find out more. August 2009 - At the end of a recent career counseling session here at the Racine County Workforce Development Center (WDC) a customer expressed her surprise at all the help available to job seekers. After she left, I thought about her comment and recalled that several other customers had made similar remarks. Read this months article to learn more! May 2009 - Your Future Starts Here! Need a job? A place to go? Something to do? If you are under the age of 21, the Career Discovery Center (CDC) offers all that and more. The Career Discovery Center (CDC) is a valuable resource for young people at any stage of career planning. Whether you’re starting to think about your future career or job, the CDC is a smart place to start. Check out this months article to find out the whole story. February 2009 - It seems like every day we hear about more and more companies that are letting employees go. You probably know at least one person who’s lost a job, if you aren’t in that position yourself. Make no mistake – losing a job is no small thing, even beyond the obvious loss of income. Read this months article to find out more about how to cope with job loss and how to get help finding a new one. December 2008 - As the end of 2008 rapidly approaches, now is the time to get prepared for your 2009 job search. The conventional wisdom is that companies do not hire staff during December because everyone is busy with the holidays. In some cases, this is true, but it is not always the case. Read this months article to find out more! November 2008 - Are you a young person looking for a job or trying to figure our what sort of career to pursue? Are you a parent who wants your teenager to develop work skills or get help creating a resume? Are you a youth program leader or teacher who would like to offer a creer exploration workshop? Check out this months article to find out more about how the Workforce Development Center can help you do these things! October 2008 - It’s a new world out there for people looking for work, and the way to get there is via the internet. Today, most employers put their job applications on websites, to be filled out and submitted electronically. Read this months article and then visit the Resource Room at the Racine County Workforce Center (WDC) for a list of good websites to check out and staff to help you navigate through them. September 2008 - What's a parent to do? You are looking for a job, and you know the place to come to is the Racine County Workforce Development Center, located at 1717 Taylor Avenue, Racine. But you don't have anyone to watch your child while you're taking advantage of all the services offered at the Center and you know you can't take care of your business there if your child is by your side. Check out this months article about Child Care at the Workforce Development Center. August 2008 - "Why should I hire you?" This months news article is all about how to prepare to answer this question. It might be asked as "Tell us about yourself" but that opportunity is the time to tell the interviewer why they should hire you. Check it out! July 2008 - Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Everyone knows the answer to that question – we all want to be millionaires. If we don’t inherit a million from some long-lost relative, or win it in the lottery, we’re going to have to earn that money by working for it. Check out this months news article to find out what you can do to realize everyones dream. June 2008 - The Racine County Workforce Development Strategic Plan was unveiled to the community on Thursday, May 29 at the Racine County Economic Development Corporation’s Annual Dinner. The Plan provides the community with a blueprint to develop a vital, dynamic economy characterized by a workforce that is “fully employed.” Find out more about the plan by reading this news article or by going here. May 2008 - Racine County veterans looking for a way to access the benefits they've earned through their service are in luck. State law requires every County to have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). The Racine County VSO is Richard Bayer. Check out this months news article to find out more about how to get the help you may be eligible for as a veteran of the US military. April 2008 - Looking for Work? Visit the Racine County Workforce Development Center (WDC) Resource Room. The WDC Resource Room offers a wide array of job search tools and references. This months news article provides valuable information about the resources that are available and how to use them. Check it out! January 2008 - People in Racine and Kenosha Counties who are looking for jobs will get lots of help in 2008. Find out what's planned for Job Fairs in 2008 in this months news article. December 2007 - "Stay in School, if you want to have a good life!"--that's the message parents, agencies, judges, law enforcement officers, teachers, and counselors want to impress on Racine County high school students through a coordinated effort called the School Engagement Program. The December news article emphasizes the importance of an education in fulfilling your life's dreams. October 2007 - A good resume and cover letter are at the very heart of a successful job search. The first step of an employer's hiring process is to collect resumes from applicants. Employers are looking for the education, experience, skills and abilities that will predict successful job performance. If you're in the market for a new job this is the news article for you! September 2007 - Customers with child care concerns can take advantage of the on-site child care facility while they are brushing up on their computer or math skills, attending a professional development workshop or meeting with one of the many helpful professional staff members. All of these services, including child care, are offered at no fee. Find out more about the on-site child care services in this months news article.
Below you will find Press Releases issued by the Racine County Executive or Workforce Development Partners. 2010 Apollo Award - When people hear about your new venture, do their thoughts spring to phrases such as: “Wow!” “Very Innovative,” “How Creative.” or the highly over used, but very effective “Cool?” If so, you’re the perfect business for the 5th Annual Apollo Award sponsored by the Racine County Workforce Development Board. Check out this press release for more information! And get the Award Nomination form here! Racine County Workforce Development Youth Program “E3” RECEIVES National Recognition - Racine County’s Summer Youth Employment and Training Program entitled “E3” (Employ, Enrich, Engage) was recognized on December 8, 2009 at the National ... read more RACINE COUNTY “LAUNCHING GREEN BUSINESSES CONFERENCE” JANUARY 12TH - Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds today announced the “Launching Green Businesses Conference,” to be held ... read more Youth Celebrate End of Summer Employment Program - More than 400 young people, community leaders and program partners will celebrate the end of the Summer Youth Program, E3 (Employ, Enrich, Engage), on Friday, August 14 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Festival Hall in downtown Racine.  Summer Youth 2009 – Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds today announced that the county is using federal stimulus funds to create a work program to develop green jobs for young people ages 14 to 24. The county’s Workforce Development Center will receive close to $475,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act specifically designated for youth development under the Workforce Investment Act.
Fourth Annual Apollo Award - When people hear about your new venture, do their thoughts spring to phrases such as: “Wow!” “Very Innovative,” “How Creative.” or the highly over used, but very effective “Cool?” If so, you’re the perfect business for the 4th Annual Apollo Award sponsored by the Racine County Workforce Development Board. Check out this press release for more information! And get the Award Nomination form here! Racine Reentry Grant
Racine County Executive: Burlington Workforce Development Center has moved. Racine County Press Releases 
In the final weeks of the presidential race, "World News with Charles Gibson" is hitting the road to report from five cities in closely contested states across the Midwest for the "Great American Battleground Bus Tour." In Racine, Wisconsin, as we found in other midwestern cities, the major industry is and has always has been manufacturing. As we have found all week on this tour,it is a lousy time for manufacturing. Racine has struggled with high unemployment -- the highest in the state and 9.6 percent over the past five years. "A strong back and willingness to work is not longer enough to have a middle class life which it used to be," said Racine Mayor Gary Becker. There is high unemployment in Racine, but there are also lots of jobs. A thousand positions were posted just this week for skilled workers. So "World News" visited Gateway Technical College to see a county program where workers get 16 weeks of training for jobs in high demand. "I decided that maybe its best to get some more to upgrade my skills in factory work so I could find a good paying job around the area here," said Joe Lori, a recently laid off single father. David Lindas lost his job last year, and says this program changed his opinion of his home town. "I wasn't really that big a fan up until now because it's hard to get a steady job in the Racine area," Lindas said. W"hen I got home from graduation [at Gateway] I had two messages on my machine for job interviews. So I was working about a week and a half after I graduated." Of 100 recent graduates of the program, 95 are now employed. Watch the video of the original broadcast at the ABC News website. ABC World News with Charles Gibson |