Workforce Waves

We know that 2020 has brought economic and social challenges, but is there is silver lining even in the middle of all these difficulties? Joel Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Washburn County Economic Development Corporation, discusses the positive trends that have come from challenging times, and the innovation that is happening in the region.

Caleb Frostman, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, joins the program to share the efforts that are being made to respond to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover some of the unique unemployment challenges, the impact of the current crisis on Native American communities, and the potential long-term geographic impact of the pandemic.

In this episode you'll hear from Scott Schultz and Jessica Wagner-Schultz as they discuss their journey of growing up in Northwest Wisconsin, leaving the region, and then eventually returning after 14 years. Discover some of the unique benefits of living in rural vs. urban areas, and why those benefits may be amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scott and Jessica also share some of the challenges that they faced moving back to Northwest Wisconsin, and some of the investments that are being made to address those challenges.

In this episode, you'll discover what employers need to know about immigration, including current trends and updates. Hear about the crucial role that immigration plays in the workforce system and the regional economy, as well as the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the immigration system.

In this special episode, you'll discover updates and resources to help you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn what to do if you are seeking unemployment insurance, the economic impact on the local economy, and how to navigate working from home.

When you think about the public library, you may not always think about employment and workforce assistance. However, the role of libraries has expanded quite a bit, and libraries in rural areas are playing a critical role in helping people who are looking for jobs. In this episode, you'll learn about the Libraries Activating Workforce Development Skills (LAWDS) project, which brings together public library staff with the staff of regional Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) and Wisconsin Job Centers, to facilitate more seamless support of job-seeking patrons, business owners and entrepreneurs.

Janet Ady, President and CEO of Ady Advantage, joins the program to discuss the economic challenges and opportunities in rural America. She shares her thoughts on talent recruitment and retention, the importance of data, and how to create a shared vision for your community.

In this episode you'll hear about the Talent Generator, a new online tool offering smart tips and best practices for creating and sustaining a successful student talent development program. The featured guest is Rebecca Deschane, Talent Initiatives Director, a joint position with WEDC and the University of Wisconsin System.

This episode features an interview with Chad Dull, Vice President of Academics at Minnesota State College Southeast, as he discusses what poverty informed practice is, and what service providers and employers need to keep in mind when working with people living in poverty. Chad shares examples from his work and talks about the mindset shift that is required to engage in poverty informed practice.