Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

This National Consumer Protection Week, we're proud to highlight our Equal Rights Division and their dedication to protecting #Wisconsin consumers. By enforcing discrimination laws, investigating civil rights complaints, collecting wages owed to Wisconsin workers, protecting equal access to housing and public accommodations, and educating the public on workplace rights and responsibilities, our staff work to level the playing field for all Wisconsinites. Learn more at: dwd.wi.gov/er #NCPW2025 #WiConsumerProtection?

DWD is incredibly grateful to the organizations who generously supported our 2025 Biennial Apprenticeship Conference! Your partnership was critical to the success of this event, and we couldn’t have done it without you. A special thank you from DWD and our Wisconsin Apprenticeship team to: ?? WRTP | BIG STEP ?? ABC of Wisconsin ?? Wisconsin Building Trades Council ?? International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 ?? Greater Milwaukee Urban League ?? Construction Business Group ?? North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters ?? International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) ?? National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) -Wisconsin Chapter (Electrical Contracting) Your commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in apprenticeship programs is helping shape the future of Wisconsin's #workforce. Thank you again for your support! #WIApprenticeshipAdvantage #ApprenticeshipsWork

This February, join DWD in recognizing Low Vision Awareness Month. #LVAM Did you know that DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is currently serving nearly 550 Wisconsinites who are blind or visually impaired to help them reach their employment goals? Our DVR team partners with local service providers to conduct vision assessments and connect individuals with visual disabilities to the right assistive technologies and mobility supports to help them navigate the workplace. If you or someone you know has a visual impairment and would like to find a job, keep a job, or get a better job, contact DVR to learn more: dwd.wi.gov/dvr Visual description: Video clip features a woman with a visual impairment participating in a business meeting using a smartphone and earphones. A text overlay states, "Low Vision Awareness Month: February 2025."

Congratulations to WSG Wisconsin Student Government for bringing together Wisconsin Technical College System students and advisors from across the state this week to engage with their #Wisconsin state government at the 2025 WSG Legislative Seminar. DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek was honored to discuss issues including #childcare access, the workforce impacts of #AI, important policy and workforce development matters, and insights from her own career in Wisconsin government. A special thank you to Student Government President Kai Brito and the entire WSG team for organizing a fantastic event!

What an incredible first day of the 2025 Wisconsin Apprenticeship Biennial Conference! With an amazing lineup of speakers, including DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek, DWD Wisconsin Apprenticeship Director David Polk, Wisconsin Apprenticeship Advisory Council co-chairs Henry Hurt and Corey Gall, and Bradford Gingras from Superior Strategies, LLC., it was truly a day to remember. Thank you to the hundreds of #apprenticeship partners and stakeholders who traveled across the state (and the country!) to join us, including our partners at the NASTAD - National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors, and to Governor Tony Evers for his inspiring video message. #WIApprenticeshipAdvantage

A heartfelt thank you to #Beloit native Retired Major General Marcia Anderson for her insightful and moving presentation yesterday. We are incredibly grateful to her for educating us on the history and contributions of Black Americans to Wisconsin's #workforce and for sharing her personal military journey. As the first African American female major general in the US Army, United States Army Reserve, and Army National Guard, Maj. Gen. Anderson has held several prestigious roles, including Deputy Chief of the Army Reserve. Following her retirement in 2016, she was inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame. Thank you again, Maj. Gen. Anderson, for your time and for your exemplary service to both the United States and the State of Wisconsin. #BlackHistoryMonth

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek was delighted to join high school students from across the state yesterday at the Wisconsin Association of FFA's 2025 FFA Day on the Hill. FFA members, #agriculture educators, local legislators, and representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction gathered to celebrate the program's successes and discuss the importance of agricultural education in shaping Wisconsin’s economy and communities. A big thank you to the Wisconsin FFA Foundation and the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators for inviting us to share insights on the essential role of the ag industry in Wisconsin’s workforce and how we’re addressing industry challenges today to build a sustainable agricultural workforce for the future. #FFAWeek #WIFFA

Are you new to the #workforce and unsure if you need to file a state or federal tax return this tax season? Watch this video to find out! For more helpful resources for teens, parents, and anyone preparing to join Wisconsin's workforce, explore our full Welcome to the Workforce video library here: bit.ly/W2W-Library

Happy Valentine's Day from DWD! ?? Share one of our themed valentines with your work bestie today. Job Center of Wisconsin #ApprenticeshipWorks #WisconsinFastForward #WisConomy

REMINDER: The deadline to apply for a Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment Training grant is just ONE WEEK away! Wisconsin school districts: Submit your application and supporting documents for consideration by 3 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Feb. 18.