DWD Focuses on Four Groups to Boost Employment

The state’s Department of Workforce Development has an interesting solution for filling jobs. Instead of going out of state, it will target four groups that are normally overlooked when hiring.

 

Here’s Five Fast Facts for the DWD’s Hiring Solutions:

  1. 🍀Fantastic Four - DWD is looking at disabled individuals, former inmates, military veterans, and “underskilled” residents (folks who lack the necessary skills to compete for jobs.)
  2. 🧑‍💼Adaptation - One in 10 adults in the state has a disability. The DWD said it will help potential employers provide accommodations, adaptive technology, and on-the-job training.
  3. 🥽That is Correct - The Department of Corrections releases between 6,000 to 9,000 people a year. DWD said the best solution for keeping folks from going back to jail is a stable job. They’ve installed job centers at 10 different DOC facilities with programs for occupations like welding, electronic machining, and cosmetology.. 
  4. 🎖️Salute - Veterans have a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the population. DWD is working with employers to provide accommodations for disabled veterans and even provide support groups.
  5. 📙Learning Fast - For the underskilled, DWD is planning to provide training, certification programs, apprenticeships, and internships to help land a secure job.

🔥Bottom line: DWD is smart in realizing that a skilled local workforce is far more valuable to the state economy than new workers brought in from elsewhere. At the same time, it’s helping curb problems many marginalized groups face, so really it’s a win-win for the state. 

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