The newly passed state budget will put $100 million dollars more into workforce development and a state leader says it's designed to help local people get jobs.
Department of Workforce Development Deputy Jonathan Barry says the new state budget for the first time puts state money into workforce development. He says the budget funds a new way to analyze the state's workforce, giving technical colleges, job centers and employers better data...
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"....bottom line is to match individuals who are looking for employment with the better job that is out there and more rapidly..."
He says a university study found Wisconsin has an aging population and the economy is recovering from the recession....
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"we're indicating we need about a million new positions by 2020, statewide. Of that, most of them do not require a college degree but require some education beyond high school..."
He says the technical colleges are offering what's called a "stackable credential" where workers can accumulate credits while they work, without having to quit work to go to school. He says the goal is to get a job, keep the job and train and get a better job. He says a majority of the jobs in the coming years will not require a four-year college degree.
Barry stopped by the Rhinelander Job Center Wednesday.
