Step Up. Building a Workforce for the Future. The Role of Education and Training in Wisconsin Works (W-2). A Report by the Governor's Wisconsin Works (W-2) Education and Training Committee.

Overview & Synopsis

Initially, Wisconsin Works (W-2) emphasized moving people from welfare to W-2 and employment. Eventually, recognition of the important role of education and training in moving families to self-sufficiency was renewed. The goal of W-2 is to connect its broad client population (only 17% of whom have a high school diploma) with appropriate work or work training as soon as possible by placing clients into the most appropriate of the following options: unsubsidized employment, trial jobs, community service jobs, and W-2 transitions. The Governor's W-2 Education and Training Committee has focused on the following issues: best practices; employers as partners; provision of flexible, entry-level education and training; the importance of retention and sustained employment; upward mobility; and continuing education and the importance of lifelong learning. The committee's action plan to promote and enhance education and training opportunities available under W-2 calls for strengthening support for continuing education and lifelong learning and emphasizing the following: available education and training opportunities, the importance of earning a high school diploma or its equivalent; and the need for W-2 agencies to forge broad-based partnerships with employers, education and training providers, and all available funding sources. (MN)