DWD: Veterans, Employers Take Advantage of State’s Improving Business Climate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 19, 2011

On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm

Veterans, Employers Take Advantage of State’s Improving Business Climate
Madison Veterans Job Fair connects those who served our nation with job opportunities

in manufacturing, health care, high-tech and biotech employment sectors
MADISON – Department of Workforce Development Interim Secretary Scott Baumbach said today that employer participation in a Madison Job Fair for Veterans and similar events around the state is reflective of the growing optimism in the state’s improving economy under Governor Walker’s leadership.

“Our state’s economy has been expanding and adding jobs ever since Governor Walker declared Wisconsin open for business,” Interim Secretary Baumbach said. “At DWD, we are doing all that we can to get Wisconsin working again, especially troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and all the other brave men and women who have served in the military.”

More than 40 employers representing all sectors took part in the Madison Job Fair for Veterans, held at the Edgewood College Deming Way Campus on the city’s far west side. They included Marinette Shipbuilding, Stoughton Trailers, TomoTherapy, Promega, St. Marys Hospital, TDS, Kwik Trip and Schneider Trucking.

Interim Secretary Baumbach said the April employment numbers, released today, also show Wisconsin is moving in the right direction. He said increasing employment opportunities are evident in the more than 28,000 job openings posted on www.JobCenterOfWisconsin.com, the free DWD online employment site.

The Job Fair for Veterans at the Edgewood Deming Way Campus is one of 14 DWD has scheduled this year. The next job fair for veterans will be held June 8th in Green Bay at the Army National Guard Armory. Veterans can also learn about benefits from federal, state and community agencies serving veterans.

Veterans attending the job fairs are asked to complete surveys. Approximately half of those completing the surveys say they have received job offers or requests for follow-up job interviews.

In addition to Edgewood College, DWD was joined in sponsoring the Madison job fair by the Departments of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs, the Wisconsin American Legion, and the Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Program.

For more information about services for veterans: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/veterans/

For a list of all Job Fairs, including those for veterans: http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/jobfairs/
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