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Workforce Bulletin July 21, 2010  Visit the FDL Job Center Newsletter Archives  Printer-friendly newsletter |
Welcome Workforce Bulletin The Workforce Bulletin is a quarterly publication of the Fond du Lac Area Job & Career Center and Berlin Job Center. The intent of the Bulletin is to keep you informed of the changing issues and trends in workforce development, from a local, regional and national perspective, to help your business succeed in a constantly changing marketplace. We welcome your suggestions and feedback. To contact us, click on: bulletin@fdljobcenter.com. Additional business services and resources can be found on our websites at: www.fdljobcenter.com and www.berlinjobcenter.com.
What's Happening August 18 - Veterans Job Fair A Veterans' Job Fair will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, from 9 am to 2 pm, at the Army National Guard Armory, 1415 Armory Place, Oshkosh, WI. The fair is being sponsored by the Wisconsin Departments of Workforce Development, Military Affairs, and Veteran Affairs and the American Legion. Booths will be available at no cost to participating employers for this event. To register, contact David Williams, 920.929.3923, email: david.williams@dwd.wisconsin.gov or Curtis Sattler, 920.968.6874, email: curtis.sattler@dwd.wisconsin.gov. Additional information for employers interested in attending this fair is available at: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2010/100302_ jobfair_employer_information.pdf.
August 19 - Lean Overview Session Business Operations Excellence Series - Lean Overview Sessions will be held from 8 am - 12:30 pm on August 19, September 16, and October 21 at Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, Inc., 1401 McMahon Drive, Neenah, WI. Topics to be covered include: Using Value Stream Mapping to find the waste in your processes, Implementing 5S & TPM to identify ways to better organize your work areas, and Establishing a Cellular Workplace with Standardized Work to make scheduling and planning an effective and reliable process. Participate in a hands-on activity that will demonstrate the power of Lean tools. The cost to attend the overview session is $35 per person, which includes training materials and refreshments. In addition, each participating company will receive a free 4 hour Lean assessment (valued at $500), to be scheduled at your worksite. The assessment will determine the strengths and weaknesses of your organization and provide specific recommendations and action plans for Lean implementation. For more information, contact Jim Eagan, 920.720.5600, ext. 316; email: jeagan@fvwdb.com or David DiPietro, 920.720.5600, ext. 308; email: ddipietro@fvwdb.com. To download a registration form, click here: Lean Overview Sessions - LEAN-Brochure-July-to-Dec.2010.pdf.
September 14 - Face Booth Fox Cities Face Booth Fox Cities: the Business-Doing-Business Expo will be held on Tuesday, September 14, from 10 am to 7 pm, at the Players Choice, 3035 County Road JJ, Appleton. The event is one of the Fox Cities' largest business-to-business trade shows. To reserve space, click here: downloadable application . For additional information, contact Pam Hull, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, phone: 920.734.7101, or email by clicking here: http://www.foxcitieschamber.com/foxcitieschamber/contact+us/default.asp.
October 7 - Fall Career Fair on the Fox The 2010 Fall Career Fair on the Fox will be held on Thursday, October 7, from 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm at the Kolf Sports Center, 785 High Avenue, (on the UW-Oshkosh campus). The fair is co-sponsored by UW Oshkosh Career Services, Fox Valley Technical College, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, the Oshkosh Area Workforce Development Center and the Fox Cities Workforce Development Center. To register, go to: http://www.uwosh.edu/career/careerfairs/CFotF/fallCFotF/fallCFotF#registration-instructions-for-employers. For additional information, contact Sarah Kriha, UW-Oshkosh, 920.424.2181, email: krihas@uwosh.edu.
October 20 - Labor Law Workshop The Fox Cities Workforce Development Center will host a Labor Law Workshop for employers. The event will be held at Liberty Hall in Kimberly, from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Registration begins at 8:00 am. The cost to attend is $77 per person. Price includes continental breakfast; refreshments at breaks; buffet lunch; handouts for all presentations on the agenda; plus other DWD handouts. Experts from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development will cover four topics of interest to area employers. Although not yet finalized, topics that will likely be included are:
October 20 - Health Care Career Fair A Health Care Career Fair is planned for Wednesday, October 20, at Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 North Bluemound Drive, Appleton, from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The fair is co-sponsored by UW Oshkosh Career Services, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, the Oshkosh Workforce Development Center, the Fox Cities Workforce Development Center, and Fox Valley Technical College. To reserve a booth, click here: http://www.uwosh.edu/career/careerfairs/heathcarefair/springHCCF/spring-2010-health-care-career-fair. For any additional information, contact Sarah Kriha, UW-Oshkosh, 920.424.2181, email: krihas@uwosh.edu.
Resources A Guide to Business and Adult Education Partnerships Working Together: A Guide to Business and Adult Education Partnerships describes the many forms that business-adult education partnerships can take, the bottom line and philanthropic advantages to partnering, and the practical steps for getting involved. It begins by explaining why businesses of all sizes should consider investing in adult education. It offers models of business-adult education partnerships in three areas: expanding the employee pipeline; promoting corporate philanthropy in the community; and connecting through intermediaries. It also provides descriptions of actual business-adult education partnerships and links to related resources and information. To read more, click here: Working Together: A Guide to Business and Adult Education Partnerships.
Web Tool Helps Employers Understand Disability Laws The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of a new web tool to help employers ensure their employment policies and practices do not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. The interactive Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor helps employers quickly determine which federal nondiscrimination laws apply to their business or organization and their responsibilities under them. To do this, it asks users to answer a few relevant questions and then generates a customized list of federal nondiscrimination laws that likely apply, along with easy-to-understand information about employers' responsibilities under each of them.
New Wisconsin Tax Credits Businesses that have invested in modernizing or expanding food processing plants or food warehouses in Wisconsin can apply to the Department of Commerce for tax credits through the new Food Processing Plant and Food Warehouse Investment Credit. Application deadline for the second round of funding is February 15, 2011. Businesses can earn up to 10 percent of the eligible expenses spent in the taxable year for modernizing and expanding food processing plants and food warehouses. The maximum amount a business can receive over the life of the program is $200,000. Businesses that are eligible to apply for Wisconsin's Dairy Manufacturing Facility Investment Credit or the Meat Processing Facility Investment Credit are not eligible for the Food Processing Plant and Food Warehouse Investment Credit. Retail establishments, including restaurants, are also not eligible. Businesses can apply online at http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-FPTC.html. For more information, contact Steven Sabatke at 608.267.0762, email: Steven.Sabatke@Wisconsin.gov.
New Health Care Web Site The health law that Congress passed in March called for the creation of a new federal website which just recently launched, www.healthcare.gov. Information links are available for Employers, Families with Children, Individuals, People with Disabilities, Seniors and Young Adults. The website will work as a bridge to help consumers until 2014 when much of the new law takes effect. In October a more comprehensive version of the website will be launched. To go directly to the Employer link, click here: http://www.healthcare.gov/foryou/employers/index.html.
Disaster Preparedness Tools for Businesses The SBA and Agility Recovery Solutions have launched a new website, www.PrepareMyBusiness.org, which provides tips on how small business owners can develop their own disaster preparedness plans. The plans should include: a written emergency plan, adequate insurance, making copies of important records, and having a "disaster survival kit.". More preparedness tips for businesses are available at: www.sba.gov/disasterassistance. To learn more about developing an emergency plan, visit the Federal Emergency Management's website at www.READY.gov or call 1.800.BEREADY to receive free materials. The SBA makes low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, and non-farm businesses of all sizes. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate. Individuals may borrow up to $40,000 to cover losses to personal property. Non-farm businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged business assets and real property. Small businesses and non-profits that suffered economic losses as a direct result of the declared disaster may apply for a working capital loan up to $2 million, even if the property was not physically damaged .
H1-B Visa Program Advisor The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of a new tool that helps employers and others understand how to comply with requirements under the H1-B visa program, which allows for the temporary employment of foreign workers in the U.S. in certain specialty occupations. The interactive, online H-1B Advisor helps users determine if they fulfill the requirements of the visa program by answering questions relevant to specific H1-B classified workers. It also outlines notification requirements, monetary issues, worksite issues, recordkeeping, and worker protections, as well as additional requirements for employers deemed to be H1-B dependent or willful violators.
Union Elections Advisor A new tool is available from the U.S. Department of Labor to help labor organizations understand the rules governing union officer elections. The interactive, online Union Elections Advisor describes the rights of union members and candidates in union officer elections, and the responsibilities of union officers and others involved in conducting elections, as prescribed by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended (LMRDA). To learn more about the LMRDA or related matters, visit the Office of Labor-Management Standards Web site.
Spotlight Free Training From Microsoft Microsoft is offering free software training and certification to Wisconsin residents through a partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Microsoft is committed to strengthening the economy and has made online education and workforce training readiness skills available to help prepare individuals for jobs in the 21st century. On May 25, Microsoft began providing thousands of no cost vouchers for its E-Learning courses and select Microsoft Certification exams as part of the Elevate America initiative. The vouchers are being distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until all vouchers have been issued, but no later than August 23. For more information, go to: http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/ea/.
Navigating Workplace Disability Issues The goal of the Navigator Program is to increase employment and self sufficiency for people with disabilities by linking them to employers and connecting them to the labor market. Disability Program Navigators work collaboratively with the Job Center system, organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities, and employers. Within the business community, the Navigator is available, at no cost to employers, for consultation on the following employment issues pertaining to people with disabilities: · Job Accommodations · Work Opportunity Tax Credit · Access Tax Credit/Deduction · Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) · Disability-related information · Adaptive equipment and assistive technology · Physical accessibility
Workforce Trends Area Companies Participate in Sustainable Manufacturing Pilot Program Fifty small and mid-sized Wisconsin manufacturers are participating in a 12 month Sustainable Manufacturing Pilot Program through the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The companies will receive assistance to cover up-front planning costs to assess and create plans to implement sustainable improvements to their business. The goal of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership is to create clean energy jobs, and help manufacturers invest in more efficient processes that minimize their impact on the environment, reduce their use of energy and natural resources, are safer for employees and consumers and improve their bottom line. Locally, the following four companies are participating: ACH Foam Technologies, Fond du Lac, www.achfoam.com Quality Packaging, Inc., Fond du Lac, www.qpack.com Shelmet Precision Casting Company, Inc., Wild Rose, www.shelmetcastings.com Whitefield Industrial Coatings, Oshkosh, www.whitefieldindustries.com
Most New Jobs in Wisconsin Will Require College Most of the new jobs in the state of Wisconsin over the next eight years will be for the college educated, according to a report by Georgetown University and the Center on Education and the Workforce. In Wisconsin, new jobs requiring postsecondary education and training - ranging from some college to a graduate degree - will grow by 139,000 by 2018, while jobs for high school graduates and dropouts will grow by 52,000. The report shows there will be a shortage of people with college degrees across the country to fill the jobs. By 2018 we will need 22 million new workers with college degrees, but will fall short of that number by at least 3 million postsecondary degrees. For more on the Wisconsin statistics, go to: http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/wisconsin.pdf. To access the entire report, go to: http://cew.georgetown.edu/jobs2018/.
Wisconsin Ranked High in Sustainability Site Selection magazine has ranked Wisconsin 9th overall among the 50 states in Sustainability. Criteria tracked by the magazine included the number of private sector “green energy” projects, such as renewable energy manufacturing and supply chain facilities; the number of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings; per capita renewable energy generation; green incentives for businesses; federal “brownfield” clean-up funding and more. To read the article, go to: www.siteselection.com/issues/2010/jul/GreenG_SustainRank/.
New Wellness and Insurance Options for Employers The health law that Congress passed in March contained new wellness and insurance options for employers. Starting in 2011, small businesses can get government grants for up to five years to establish wellness programs. Also starting in 2011, small businesses can offer "cafeteria" plans, which allow employees to transfer before-tax earnings into accounts that can be used for medical expenses. Starting in 2014, businesses with fewer than 100 workers can buy insurance for their employees through a state-run exchange.
Regional Wage & Benefit Survey Underway The Northeast Wisconsin Chambers Coalition is currently conducting the 2010-2011 Wage & Benefit Survey to gather comprehensive and up-to-date wage and benefit data from businesses in the greater Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Fox Cities and Green Bay areas.
Updates Treasury Mandates Electronic Deposit of Taxes In April the Department of the Treasury announced that, beginning in 2011, most businesses will be required to make federal tax deposits electronically through Treasury's free Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/). Businesses are currently permitted to use paper federal tax deposit coupons. Businesses with $2,500 or less in quarterly tax liabilities that pay when filing their returns will be exempted from the new requirements. The full press release can be found at: http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/tg644.htm.
New Law Amends Wisconsin Fair Employment Act A new law, effective May 27, 2010, amends the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act and prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee because the employee declines "to attend a meeting or participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters." The law defines "political matters" to include, among other things, "the decision to join or not to join, or to support or not to support any lawful constituent group," which includes a "labor organization." The law provides a limited exception to these rules for certain employers that are religious or political organizations.
DOL Issues New Guidance on Unpaid Internships In April, the U.S. Department of Labor reiterated its rules regarding unpaid internships under the Fair Labor Standards Act and pledged to crack down on abuses of the rules by for-profit companies. The government has developed six criteria that for-profit, private sector businesses must meet before they can offer unpaid internships: 1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment; 2. The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern; 3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff; 4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded; 5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and 6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship. If all of the factors listed above are met, an employment relationship does not exist under the FLSA, and the Act’s minimum wage and overtime provisions do not apply to the intern.For more information, go to: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf.
Supreme Court Workplace Privacy Ruling on Text Messages The US Supreme Court ruled in June that employers have the right to search through text messages, including personal ones, sent by workers if they have reason to believe that workplace rules are being violated (The City of Ontario California v. Quon). The court avoided making any sweeping pronouncements, saying it was important to "proceed with care" where electronic privacy is concerned. The decision also made no mention of the rights of workers for private employers. However, the ruling provides useful guidance for all employers on steps they can take to reduce their exposure to privacy-based claims arising from their review of employees' text messages, email, and other electronic communications. Employment attorneys strongly advise employers to have an electronic resources policy, make sure the policy is understandable, clearly communicate the policy to employees, and train employees and supervisors on the policy. For more details regarding this ruling, and specific recommendations for employers, go to: http://www.littler.com/PressPublications/Lists/ASAPs/DispASAPs.aspx?id=1512
New Rules on Health Care Act Regulations continue to be issued providing rules for employer group health plans to comply with Health Care Reform. The new regulations provide details on Health Care Reform limits on preexisting condition restrictions, annual and lifetime limits, rescissions, and patient protections such as emergency care and primary care provider access limitations. Employers may have notice and special enrollment obligations. More information is available at the Department of Labor website: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform/.
FLSA Amendment Mandates Breaks for Nursing Mothers The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) added an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, effective immediately, which requires that employers make the following accommodations for nursing mothers: "A reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child's birth each time the employee has such need to express the milk; and, a place, other than bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee, to express breast milk." Further, employers with less than 50 employees are exempt from the FLSA amendment “if such requirements would impose an undue hardship by causing the employer significant difficulty when considered in relation to the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the employer’s business.” Also, an employer is not required to compensate an employee for receiving break time taken to express milk for her nursing child. Only hourly non-exempt employees are eligible. The DOL is in the process of developing regulations to define conditions, frequency and reasonable length of breaks.
Workforce Publications 2010 New North Mid-Year Report For the latest news and strategic initiatives related to New North, Inc., view the 2010 New North Mid-Year Report by clicking HERE.
The Labor Market in the 21st Century A new research brief, The Labor Market, Then and Now: Changing Realities in the 21st Century, examines the significant changes in the labor market, workforce, and education system that have taken place throughout the first decade of the 21st century. Using data from the Heldrich Center's Work Trends series of worker surveys, the brief also profiles the changing perceptions of workers shaped by these new realities. For more information, click here: http://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu/uploadedFiles/Publications/Labor_Market_Brief.pdf.
The Present and Future of American Manufacturing A new white paper prepared by the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Board discusses the state of domestic manufacturing and the characteristics of good manufacturers, and plots a course to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing in the United States. The MEP is managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). To download the MEP report, Innovation and Product Development in the 21st Century, go to www.nist.gov/mep/upload/MEP_advisory_report_4_24l.pdf.
Businesses in the News Area Business Expansions Foremost Farms USA, headquartered in Baraboo, www.foremostfarms.com, will receive $45 million in New Markets Tax Credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to expand and upgrade production capacities at its Appleton and Richland Center facilities and spur investment. The projects will create or retain 270 jobs. Innovative Machining, Inc., Neenah, www.innovativemachining.com, will receive $116,000 in tax credits from the Economic Development Tax Credit Program from the Department of Commerce to help construct an addition to its manufacturing facility. The company is building a 53,000 sq. ft. addition to its manufacturing facility and will create 20 jobs over the next three years. Total project cost is $2.6 million.
Local Award Winners in Biz Plan Contest LIVEyearbook (www.liveyearbook.com) is the Grand Prize winner in the 2010 Governor's Business Plan Contest. The Greenville start-up company has won $50,000 in cash and services. The company has developed a software-as-a-service platform that can be used by schools and students to produce online yearbooks. The company's patent-pending technology offers schools appropriate editorial controls and a better revenue model, and allows students to create custom yearbooks online or in a traditional print format. LIVEyearbook is the first grand prize winner from the Fox Valley in the seven-year history of the contest. The other local winner is Joe Vosters of Friendly Bed Systems (www.billrayhomemobility.com), an Appleton company that has developed a supporting framework for beds that helps elderly and disabled patients live at home. Mr. Vosters is the third place winner in the Life Sciences Category. Congratulations to both companies.
Labor Market Data Local and State Unemployment Data
For more information, go to: http://worknet.wisconsin.gov/worknet/datablelist.aspx?menuselection=da.
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