On July 15, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the award of $75,000 to Waukesha County Technical College through the Expanded Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) - Training in County Jails grant program.
You’re Hired! will provide inmates with occupational academic training and career development in the areas of commercial truck driving or food preparation. Additional training utilizing the Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Offenders Seeking Employment (CBI-EMP) curriculum and employability skills will be provided. Individuals who successfully complete the training and demonstrate competence will receive a certificate of completion that can be shared with potential employers. After release, these individuals will receive support accessing resources, finding a job or continued educational training, and/or obtaining on-the-job training.
"When inmates return to communities, they often have trouble finding jobs, housing, education and mental health services. Our goal is to successfully reintegrate them into society by providing job training programs, employment connections and other community resources to reduce barriers they may face upon release." said Cindy Simons, President of Forward Careers.
The You're Hired! grant will train at least 60 inmates at the Waukesha County Jail in partnership with Forward Careers and DWD-Job Service.