Report: WI In Good Shape For "Green Economy"

MADISON, Wis. (Midwest Communications) - A new report from the Center on Wisconsin Strategy says Wisconsin is well poised for the “green economy.” It also outlines how the state can do better in training people for the jobs of the future. The state's deputy secretary of the Department of Workforce Development, JoAnna Richard, says the technology the state’s colleges and businesses are doing is excellent. But she says there's not enough money to re-train all the 63,000 factory workers who have lost their jobs in the recession, or the 25,000 displaced from construction.

While the state recently got $6 million in stimulus money to retrain 3,000 workers in Rock and Kenosha counties, DWD is applying for another $13 million emergency grant from the federal Department of Labor. Rhandi Berth, Associate Director of the Wisconsin Regional Training Program, says that money would be useful. Berth says training centers around the state have waiting lists. She says despite good programs and pieces in place, employers are having a hard time finding workers with new skills. The COWS report says Wisconsin doesn't need "new" programs. It says there is a good system of technical colleges and apprenticeships, but that they should do a better job of working with employers and labor unions.

(from WTAQ-Green Bay)