The Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB) is excited to announce the launch of the Worker Advancement Initiative 2.0 (WAI 2.0). WAI 2.0 builds upon the success of the original Worker Advancement Initiative by continuing to address the workforce challenges that remain following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program aims to assist individuals facing ongoing barriers to employment by offering short-term, subsidized training opportunities that lead to meaningful, in-demand careers.
WAI 2.0 will be available to eligible residents across the 10 counties in Northwest Wisconsin: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn Counties. Individuals who are 16 years of age or older, as well as those who are unemployed, underemployed, working part-time, incumbent workers, or who have entered new employment within the most recent six-week period are encouraged to apply. This initiative focuses on training programs that can be completed in 12 months or less that lead to jobs in high-demand fields such as energy, construction, heavy equipment operation, commercial truck driving, manufacturing, welding, healthcare, education, and childcare.
Two key training cohorts will launch under WAI 2.0. These targeted efforts will support individuals pursuing careers in heavy equipment operation, and residential energy efficiency, helping to address labor shortages in critical sectors along with aid in the Duluth-Superior Blatnik Bridge project’s workforce needs.
Funding for WAI 2.0 made available by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
To learn more about WAI 2.0, please visit the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board’s website at www.nwwib.com/programs/wai2. For more information, please contact Sara Wieland, WAI 2.0 Training Navigator, at (715)-230-8399 or at swieland@nwwib.com.
The NWWIB is one of eleven workforce development boards in the state of Wisconsin and is one of over 500 Workforce Boards in the U.S. The NWWIB is responsible for the oversight of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other training and employment initiatives in northwest Wisconsin, including the counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Price, Iron, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn. Through an extensive network of American Job Center partners, Northwest Wisconsin residents, businesses, and communities receive support to help local economies thrive.
Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. If you have a disability and need assistance with this information, please call us through Wisconsin Relay Service (7-1-1) or at 800-947-3529. To request information in an alternate format, including language assistance or translation of the information, please contact us at (715)-685-1425.