DWD Secretary Newson Announces Intent to Award OVer $2million in Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants to Train Over 3,000

MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary (DWD) Reggie Newson today announced the DWD's final Round 3 intent to award decisions with over $2 million in worker training grants through Governor Scott Walker's Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) initiative. The funds will assist 33 employers as they equip over 3,000 workers with in-demand skills.

"The Wisconsin Fast Forward program is supporting the development of in-demand skills training for thousands of workers throughout Wisconsin," Secretary Newson said. "This program is a proven resource that is fueling Wisconsin’s economy." 

In July, Secretary Newson announced the availability up to $8 million in grants to support customized training opportunities in nine industry sectors. In this final Round 3 announcement, DWD is awarding over $2 million:

• $1,069,860 for six grant awards in health care to train up to 2,344 workers for 6 employers.

• $376,471 for two grant awards in financial services to train up to 247 workers for 3 employers.

• $317,475 for four grant awards in information technology to train up to 102 workers at 6 employers.

• $291,679 for six grant awards in agriculture to train up to 314 workers at 19 employers.

Secretary Newson recently announced the intent to award over $4.4 million grants in the other five industries:

• $3,217,191 for 24 grant awards in manufacturing to train up to 3,109 workers for 26 employers.

• $619,891 for five grant awards in transportation to train up to 357 workers for 19 employers.

• $148,516 for three grant awards in construction to train up to 127 workers at 12 employers.

• $307,333 for 12 grant awards to support small business training needs for up to 177 workers at 18 employers.

• $123,619 for 3 grant awards in customer service to train up to 49 workers at 6 employers.

Taken together, close to $6.5 million has been awarded during Round 3 to train over 6,800 workers.

Governor Walker in 2013 proposed the $15 million WFF grant initiative, which lawmakers quickly approved with overwhelming bipartisan support. WFF encourages partnerships between employers and workforce and economic development organizations. The DWD Office of Skills Development administers the program and monitors funded projects to ensure that unemployed trainees are hired and incumbent trainees receive a pay increase.

For the full news release, please click the PDF.