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.
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Check out the labor market data for the SE Wisconsin Employment Central including average job postings and top posted specialized skills for May 2026.
Learn more about WDA 1:https://www.sewrks.com/
Susan has over two years of experience working under WIOA, supporting employment placement, skill development, employer engagement, and participant advancement toward sustainable career pathways at West Central Workforce Development Board.
Susan’s favorite success story involved a participant that was unable to continue their Veterinary Technician program and would have to wait 2 years before reapplying after failing a required course.
Susan coordinated a paid Work Experience (WEX) opportunity with a local veterinary clinic within the participant’s community, where they completed approximately 190 hours of paid work-based learning, gaining industry-specific skills, occupational exposure, and increased employability. As a direct outcome, the participant was offered employment at the clinic.
“This experience reflects the effectiveness of employer engagement and work-based learning strategies in supporting participants who face educational or employment barriers,” Susan said.
Learn more about WDA 8 here: https://www.wcwwdb.org/
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