Dept. of Workforce Development: Secretary Perez cites growing demand for labor, increasing employment opportunities for veterans, other job seekers
3/29/2011
CONTACT: John Dipko, Communications Director
At Veterans Job Fair, Labor Secretary notes hiring incentives for employers
EAU CLAIRE – At a Veterans Job Fair today, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Manny Perez urged job seekers, especially veterans, to pursue an increasing number of employment opportunities, and he encouraged employers to take advantage of incentives to hire veterans.
As Wisconsin’s economy improves, I am pleased to see more job opportunities for the men and women who served our country,” Secretary Perez said. “Employers are looking to hire. We have over 27,000 openings listed on our www.JobCenterofWisconsin.com, online employment site. Since Governor Walker declared Wisconsin open for business, we have gained roughly 8,000 jobs in manufacturing alone. Good jobs await those who act now.”
Secretary Perez said Wisconsin provides a variety of hiring incentives, particularly for veterans. He cited two federally-funded incentives:
On-the-Job Training Program for Veterans – DWD’s Office of Veterans Services received a $324,000 National Emergency Grant for on-the-job training. Depending on the number of veterans hired, an employer can be reimbursed from 50 to 90 percent of wages paid to a veteran for up to six months of OJT training. Statewide, 18 veterans have been hired under the relatively new incentive.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) – An employer could be eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,400 for hiring a veteran, up to $4,800 if the veteran is disabled. Over 5,000 employers have benefited from the credit, as have veterans, people with disabilities and others who were hired and qualified as members of targeted groups that traditionally faced significant barriers to employment.
Between 150 and 200 veterans were expected to attend the Eau Claire job fair. The nearly 30 employers who registered indicated that they had at least 125 positions to fill. The job fair is the third of 14 that DWD and its partners are holding throughout the state this year.
“We are seeing many more job opportunities and more job offers from employers at fairs this year compared to those held last year,” Secretary Perez said.
Over 600 veterans attended a Milwaukee job fair earlier this month. Of the nearly 130 veterans who completed exit surveys, 24 said they received job offers. Another 19 had job interviews scheduled. Nearly 120 veterans attended a Stevens Point job fair, also held this month. Of the 87 completing exit surveys, 21 said they received job offers. Another 67 had job interviews scheduled.
For more information got to DWD services for veterans: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/veterans/
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SOURCE: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=231641
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING JOB FAIRS, SEE THE DAV-WIS. EVENTS PAGE: www.davwi.org/events
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