Walker Unveils $20M Technology Job Training Initiative

Wisconsin will spend $20 million on a job training program with colleges and universities designed to prepare people for electronics manufacturing jobs.

Gov. Scott Walker announced the initiative Wednesday at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Funding for the idea was part of legislation lawmakers approved last year to have Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group build an electronics factory in southeast Wisconsin.

But Walker said the initiative isn’t just for Foxconn-related jobs, but for technology careers across the state.

“We need to send a message to our employers that we’ve got a plan to prepare the workforce not just for today, but for tomorrow and for the days to come,” Walker said.

Part of the plan will inject $5 million to allow high school students to take college courses in technology before they graduate. There will also be $7 million in scholarships for students who want to improve their skill set, as well as training for high-demand fields.

Funds would also be used to establish a multi-county transportation plan.

“Often times one of the barriers for people is not the educational component, it’s the connection to education and employment via transportation,” Walker said.

Although no specific amount of money has been designated for transportation, the plan aims to fill gaps in service.

The plan is a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin System, the state’s technical colleges and the state Department of Workforce Development.

Funding will come from the next biennium budget but Walker said lawmakers shouldn’t wait to discuss how the $20 million will be spent.

Editor’s Note: This story was last updated at 4:42 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, with additional reporting by WPR.