Continuing Education

Skills Enhancement

Western Dairyland's Skills Enhancement program offers assistance to individuals who are working while pursuing post-secondary education. Low-wage earners who are working at least 20 hours per week and are attending a university or technical school may qualify for assistance designed to fill the gaps not covered by student loans and other programs. Financial assistance can include help with books, tuition, parking fees, child care and school supplies.

RENEW

Re-Employment Now for Exceptional Workers (RENEW) is a program for displaced homemakers that provides employment and training opportunities and financial assistance which enables individuals to regain control of their lives and creates a positive outlook for the future. RENEW is offered in eleven counties in western Wisconsin: Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Taylor, Jackson, Pierce, Pepin, St. Croix and Trempealeau.

A displaced homemaker is an individual (male or female) who has worked in the home for a substantial number of years providing unpaid household services for family members and who meets the following conditions:
Is not gainfully employed, including being unemployed or underemployed, and has difficulty in securing employment AND one of the following:

• Has been dependent on the income of another household member but is no longer supported by such income, OR
• Has been dependent on public assistance but is no longer eligible for such assistance or who may be terminated from such assistance, OR
• Is the parent of at least one minor child supported by public assistance or spousal support but whose children are within two years of reaching their maturity.

Project Advance

The goal of Project Advance is to assist local businesses so they can expand and create new jobs. Project Advance has trained 90 low-wage earners from Western Wisconsin in either welding or machine tool careers; case managers are currently working with area employers to fill job vacancies.

We will provide employers with financial assistance up to $3,500 for each newly hired individual. New hires must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson or Trempealeau county, and have income at or below the federal poverty level. Some portion of the position must include welding functions.

For more information about Project Advance, contact Kurt at 715-836-7511 ext. 140 or Karen at 715-836-7511 ext. 143.