Workforce Development Partner

Enriching lives and communities by moving Wisconsin Forward.

WWDA is proud to represent all 11 workforce development boards across Wisconsin. As designated by the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA), Workforce Development Boards develop strategies that guide regional efforts in ensuring workers have the skills they need to fill the jobs businesses create, as well as advocate for higher wages for workers, larger profits for businesses and stronger communities for all.

Our Mission

We are Wisconsin’s collective voice for workforce development through: Advocacy, Funding, Strategy, Collaborative Partnerships, Shared Resources, Training, and Education.

WE think globally and act locally.

Our Vision

We enrich lives and communities in moving Wisconsin Forward.

Link to website:

wwda.org

Social Media Links:

WWDA Social Media Highlights:

Zoe always had a creative spark and a passion for working with her hands. Her curiosity led her to discover welding and sculpting — a hobby that quickly became a powerful skill. What started as an interest soon turned into a talent, which didn’t go unnoticed.

Zoe stood out at the 2024 SkillsUSA State Conference, a competition showcasing students’ talents in technical education and career readiness. As one of just 12 students representing Monona Grove High School, she competed against 1,600 peers from across the state and earned an impressive second place in Welding Sculpture. As a junior, Zoe began exploring career options. She connected with our WIOA Youth Career Planner, who helped her to secure a subsidized WIOA-funded work experience as a Welding Apprentice at Custom Metals in Madison, Wisconsin.

The opportunity gave her hands-on job experience along with needed wraparound support. She was able to receive safety equipment, transportation assistance, and financial education to help her plan for future goals like buying a car.

Building on that momentum, Zoe worked with her WIOA Youth Career Planner to apply for the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Administered by the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW), this program allows juniors and seniors to gain work-based learning and earn industry-recognized credentials while completing their high school graduation requirements.

Custom Metals saw Zoe’s potential and supported her as a Youth Apprentice. Upon completing the program, they offered her a permanent position— an opportunity she describes as “a perfect fit.“

Looking ahead, Zoe is preparing to begin coursework at Madison College this fall. She’ll pursue a certification in metal fabrication — another step she credits to the continued mentorship and encouragement she received from her WIOA Youth Career Planner. They also helped her navigate financial aid, college application and admission process, connecting her with the resources to make a postsecondary education affordable.

Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin website: https://www.wdbscw.org/

WWDA Social Media Results

Check out the labor market data for Southeastern WI Workforce Development Board (WDA 1) including average monthly job postings and top posted job titles.

Learn more about WDA 1https://www.sewrks.com/

Meet the Director - SE WI Workforce Development Board:

Doug Bartz is the Board Director of the SE Wisconsin Employment Central (SE WI WDB), one of the 11 workforce boards in Wisconsin, with industry emphasis on manufacturing, logistics, and transportation.

Doug spent ten years with Wisconsin Community Services starting as a case manager and working his way up to Project Director of Inmate Programming at the Milwaukee County House of Correction, where he trained individuals in printing, welding, forklift/warehousing, and asphalting. Doug is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Pathway Home 6 program.

Doug’s board is actively aligning with the federal workforce development priorities. In Southeast Wisconsin, they’re cultivating partnerships and strategies that reflect the pillars, particularly industry-driven approaches and integrated systems. While some initiatives are still in the early stages, they’re exploring innovative models that enhance worker mobility across sectors, foster flexibility in training delivery, and strengthen accountability through data-informed decision-making.

SE WI WDB's website: www.sewrks.com