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Skills2Compete-Wisconsin.
In partnership with National Skills Coalition, the Skills2Compete-Wisconsin campaign seeks to raise awareness of the need to train Wisconsin residents for middle-skill jobs, which require more than high school but less than a four-year degree. These jobs make up the largest portion of Wisconsin’s labor market. Prior to the recession, Wisconsin was already experiencing shortages of middle-skill workers in crucial industries. With high unemployment throughout the nation, this is precisely the time to ensure Wisconsin is training the middle-skill workforce that will be critical to economic recovery and long-term success.
Key Partners
State Leads:
Center on Wisconsin Strategy
National Skills Coalition
Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin
Core Advisors:
Bay Area Workforce Development Board
Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods Coalition
Mid-State Technical College
Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
Regional Workforce Alliance / Milwaukee 7 WIRED Region
Thrive
Wisconsin Community Action Program Association
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership
Wisconsin Technical College System
Major Efforts
In November 2010, the campaign released a three-part strategy platform—A Policy Strategy for Meeting the Demands of the 21st-Century Economy—urging the newly elected Governor to adopt industry partnerships, career pathways and bridges, and targeted investment to prepare the state’s workforce for skilled positions in the industries that will lead the state’s economic recovery.
Released report, Wisconsin's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs, in October 2009, generating widespread media coverage.
As part of National Skills Coalition’s Skills2Compete fly-in, representatives from Skills2Compete-Wisconsin met with members of Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation in Washington, DC, to discuss report findings in November 2009.
Publications and Resources
Publications:
A Policy Strategy for Meeting the Demands of the 21st-Century Economy
National Skills Coalition and Skills2Compete-Wisconsin
November 2010
Wisconsin's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs
National Skills Coalition, Center on Wisconsin Strategy and Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin
October 2009
Audio Briefings:
Listen to audio clips from a press conference about the release of Wisconsin's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs report.
- Introduction and Report Overview | Andrea Ray, National Skills Coaltion
- Campaign Leads | Sarah L. White, Center on Wisconsin Strategy and Patricia Schramm, Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin
- Public Workforce System Perspective | Secretary Roberta Gassman, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
- Employer Perspective | Tim Sullivan, CEO of the Milwaukee-based Bucyrus International and Chair of the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment
- Technical College Perspective | Dan Clancy, President, Wisconsin Technical College System
Media List
- Moraine Park addresses need for 'middle skills | FDL Reporter, 12.16.2009
- New report says technical colleges play vital role in state’s economy | Superior Telegram, 12.02.2009
- Middle-skill positions show promise across Wisconsin | Wisconsin Post Crescent, 11.17.09
- Economic recovery linked to jobs requiring technical training | Herald Times Reporter, 11.01.2009
- Most Wisconsin jobs require more than a high school diploma | Superior Telegram, 10.16.2009
- Demand outstrips supply for middle-skill workers | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10.15.2009
- Study calls for training investment to fill middle-skill jobs | Wisconsin State Journal, 10.15.2009
- Study sees surging demand for mid-level jobs in Wisconsin | Milwaukee Business Journal, 10.15.2009
- Wisconsin needs to train workers for 'middle skill' jobs in recovery | Milwaukee Small Business Times, 10.15.09
