4-6-15 fdl area association of commerce receives grants

The Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce is a recipient of two state grants to develop or expand employer-driven training programs designed to prepare high school students for the workforce or post secondary  education.  The Association has received two grants totaling about $43,000 each.   Statewide the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is awarding 45 grants totaling $2.5 million.   Grant funding will train more than a thousand students and could involve employment at up to 250 employers. “Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity High School Pupil grant program is addressing the skills gap while strengthening career and technical education in our state,” says Secretary Newson. “This second round of grant awards will help develop a young and ready-to-work pipeline of skilled workers with the industry training and certifications required by Wisconsin employers.”    DWD issued a Grant Program Announcement (GPA) in December 2014 for up to $3 million in potential awards for high school pupil working training programs that include work-based learning, apprenticeship preparation and dual credit models. Intent to award projects ensure that graduates gain industry-recognized certifications from the 2013 Wisconsin Act 59 approved list and receive job placement opportunities in high-demand fields.