Company Profile
Department of Workforce Development
Company Overview
Mission: Advancing Wisconsin’s economy and business climate by empowering and supporting the workforce.
Vision: Wisconsin - the Workforce of Choice
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is a state agency charged with building and strengthening Wisconsin's workforce in the 21st century and beyond.
The Department's primary responsibilities include providing job services, training and employment assistance to people looking for work, at the same time as it works with employers on finding the necessary workers to fill current job openings.
Under the DWD umbrella, a wide variety of employment programs can be found which range from securing jobs for people with disabilities, assisting former welfare recipients as they make a transition into work, Promoting employment in the state through Wisconsin Job Centers, linking youth with jobs of tomorrow, protecting and enforcing worker's rights, processing unemployment claims and ensuring workers compensation claims are paid in accordance with the law.
There are six divisions with the Department which is headed by a Secretary appointed by the Governor.
Company History
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Reggie Newson - Secretary
Jonathan Barry - Deputy Secretary
Georgia Maxwell - Executive Assistant
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Kathleen Reed - Administrator
Provides various administrative support services to the program divisions.
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
Lisa Boyd - Administrator
The Division of Employment & Training develops and maintains employment-focused programs that enable employers to hire and retain the workforce they need and that provide individuals and families with services that enable them to achieve financial well being as members of Wisconsin's workforce. It delivers services through public-private partnerships and a statewide network of Job Centers.
EQUAL RIGHTS
John Conway - Administrator
Administers laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, and the state’s family and medical leave law. Enforces laws pertaining to minimum wage, overtime pay, timely payment of wages, employment of minors, and notification of business closings or mass layoffs. Also sets and enforces prevailing wage rates that must be paid on state and municipal construction projects.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Craig Barkelar - Administrator
Collects employer payroll taxes, pays benefits to eligible unemployed workers, adjudicates disputes, detects fraud; collects benefit overpayments, and administers the New Hire Reporting program.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
Michael Greco (acting) - Administrator
A federal/state program designed to obtain, maintain, and improve employment for people with disabilities by working with VR consumers, employers, and other partners.
WORKER'S COMPENSATION
John Metcalf - Administrator
Ensures the prompt payment of benefits by private insurance companies and self-insured employers to workers who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses, resolves appeals regarding claims.