There is a significant gap between the skills of our workforce and the jobs that are currently available.   At a time when thousands of Wisconsin’s unemployed are looking for work, there are thousands of production jobs related to manufacturing posted on the Job Center of Wisconsin webpage¹.  

Tens of thousands more are projected to be available over the next decade.

There is a need to train more workers in the career fields of our future.  The ‘new’ job growth forecast between 2012 and 2015 in skilled trades, manufacturing, and construction is estimated to be 63,600², which doesn’t include the replacement of retiring workers.  This is a growing concern for our employers and a growing state problem.  Filling the positions currently held by these retirees requires immediate action³.


By 2018, 66% of Wisconsin’s 3.2 million jobs will require a high school degree or above, but below a bachelors⁴.  Despite that, only 25 percent of high school seniors want to attend a technical school⁵.  Many of our current and future jobs need more than a high school degree, but don’t require four-year degrees, so getting students in these fields and training current working age adults is a priority.

We can help address these issues by being nimble in training current workers and helping employers. fill vacancies more quickly. By doing this, we can create more jobs and encourage growth that will hasten our state’s recovery.  Governor Walker is focused on closing the skills gap, creating jobs, and growing our economy now and into the future.  Creating jobs and growing our economy is the best way to balance budgets and raise Wisconsin’s standard of living.

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