In 2002, the Racine County Economic Development Corp., together with our development partners, completed the Racine County Economic Development Plan. In 2008, based on Challenge 5 of the EDP, community, business and government leaders developed Higher Expectations: A Workforce Strategy for Racine County. This working document outlines goals and strategies to meet the work force needs of area employers, job seekers and residents. It is a blueprint to reach our vision of a vital, dynamic economy characterized by a work force prepared for the world of work.

Today, we focus on the portion of the plan which links qualified Racine County workers with employers and works to attract and retain talented workers. Part of this challenge is to ensure that the available work force has the skills and abilities to meet the needs of area employers. The Racine County Workforce Development Center and its partners have developed several initiatives to accomplish this.

-- Smart Career Restart training programs are designed to meet the educational needs of area residents and prepare them for occupational opportunities. Today, jobs that provide upward mobility without formal training are rare. New knowledge-based jobs require education for entrance and advancement. In partnership with Gateway Technical College, WDC continues to develop short-term training programs (boot camps) that are employer-driven and provide students with skills needed for jobs in today's tough economy in high-demand career areas.

Dan Bidwell completed the first Computer Numerical Control Boot Camp. He described the training "as the best thing that happened to me" because it "gave me the opportunity to support my family without struggling to make ends meet." Dan held his job from June 2005 until February 2009, when his employer completed a substantial downsizing. Now he's returning to the classroom to participate in another Smart Career Restart training program, the CNC Set-up Technician Program, which is funded through the American Recovery Act. Other programs include machine repair, medical receptionist, office skills, logistics, and telecommunications. These intensive programs last between two and 20 weeks, 40 hours a week.

-- The Southeastern Wisconsin Resume Matrix (http://www.resumematrix.com) is an electronic job board launched in 2005 to provide area employers with a resource to recruit the best employees, because in business today no competition is tougher than the global race for talent. In every industry, every job sector, and every part of the world, employers are asking the same question: How are we going to find talent and retain the best workers? The matrix, a partnership with Kenosha, Walworth, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington Counties, the WDC and Gateway, provides a link to the area's best available talent.

ProTech is a networking group established by the WDC and designed specifically for professional and technical knowledge workers with an associate's degree or higher level of education. Group members routinely explore new strategies for job hunting. Amy Czerniec, a ProTech participant, had this to say about the program: "I feel that ProTech has helped by putting me in touch with fellow job seekers who have supplied me with valuable advice regarding my job search." Linda Glass, a certified management professional and ProTech participant, agrees. She said, "I just cannot say enough about the value of ProTech to myself and other job seekers. The meetings provide a unique opportunity to collectively network with other job seekers and explore resources available to aid in our job search. The guest speakers that have been part of the meetings are knowledgeable in a variety of areas pertinent to our group."

-- A U.S. Department of Labor WIRED grant awarded to the WDC is providing $200,000 to implement a work skills assessment project that will serve more than 2,100 adult and youth job seekers in southeastern Wisconsin. The project will pilot ACT WorkKeys foundational skills and Learning Resources Inc. soft skills assessment tools as a remediation and work readiness certification program.

Developing tomorrow's talent is the mission of the Racine County Workforce Development Center and its many partner organizations. The aim is to ensure that our work force meets the needs of local, regional and global employers. To learn more about the many services available at the Racine County Workforce Development Center, go to:

http://www.wdc.racineco.com

Alice Oliver is a manager at the Racine County Workforce Development Center.