The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development issued the following news release:
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today introduced the state's new job connection Internet site, JobCenterofWisconsin.com, to Racine area job seekers at the Racine Public Library.
'We need an employment and training system for the 21st century, and this new, interactive site will serve as a portal to employment opportunities and jobs of the future,' Secretary Gassman said. 'This free, interactive site is accessible around the clock. Job seekers, from young people in the community to older workers, can post resumes and search for work. Employers can search the site for workers with the skills and abilities they need.'
Secretary Gassman met with job seekers and provided a hands-on demonstration of the site. She is touring the state to make more employers and job seekers aware of the new website, developed as part of Governor Doyle's Grow Wisconsin plan to link Wisconsin employers with anyone looking for a job.
Gassman met with two laid-off workers: Maureen Polly, who is studying to be a medical assistant at Gateway Technical College; and Nancy Maldonado a former materials handler studying to be a health unit coordinator.
'While the national economy is having an impact on all states, good jobs are available in Wisconsin for people with the right skills or the ability to learn those skills. In these times, we need to do everything we can to help people connect with jobs, especially here in Racine,' Gassman said.
Job seekers can access the JobCenterOfWisconsin.com site and explore job opportunities from their home computers or at Job Centers, schools or any other places with public Internet access, such as the public library.
JobCenterofWisconsin.com replaces the state's JobNet system, which was created in 1993 and has become out-dated. In 2007 DWD and Governor Doyle's Council on Workforce Investment initiated a pilot site operated by the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and its partners. DWD further improved the site's function and design with the assistance of job seeker and employer feedback sessions.
Among the most significant improvements from the state's JobNet site:
* An easy, fill-in-the-blank feature helps job seekers create professional-looking resumes that can be saved, emailed or printed;
* Users may keep resumes confidential or make them available for search by employers;
* Employers can search for skilled employees through key search terms;
* Job seekers can find a list of job fairs and other employment and training events in their area;
* A toll-free help number connects callers with trained staff who can provide assistance and information about employment and training; and
* The site has a user-friendly design with simple navigation.
A second round of upgrades will be added in December, including workshop sign-ups; wage, job trend and career information; and simplified methods for employers to save job postings. Users will also be able to view short demonstration videos that describe various careers.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is charged with strengthening Wisconsin's workforce. DWD provides training and employment assistance to job seekers; enforces worker's rights; administers the state's unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, and worker's compensation programs; and works with employers to find appropriate job candidates.Contact: Howard Cosgrove, 608/266-6753.
Howard Cosgrove, 608/266-6753.
