Creamery Receives Training Grant to Fuel Employee Growth
Aug 28, 2023 (Westby, WI)
Westby Cooperative Creamery is the recipient of a $123,000 grant thanks to the Wisconsin Fast Forward worker training program offered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Twelve Wisconsin businesses were selected, and a total of $1.3 million was awarded.
With this grant, Westby Cooperative Creamery will partner with Manage Assist Inc. to provide training to approximately 140 incumbent workers. The training will focus on lean operations, management practices and include a “Train the Trainer: The Practical Trainer” component. This will benefit employees in performing their current positions as well as prepare them for future opportunities. In addition, an overall wage adjustment of 2%, or more, is anticipated from this training.
“This grant allows the Creamery to support its employees and provide them with continued learning opportunities for their long-term success personally and professionally, while also helping boost the local economy,” the Creamery’s Human Resources Manager Ellen Olson said.
The Wisconsin Fast Forward standard grant program awards funds to reimburse costs associated with occupational training. Grants range from $5,000 to $400,000 and projects require a 50 percent cash or in-kind employer match. This is to cover training costs for those who are unemployed or underemployed, as well as for incumbent workers. Participants who successfully complete the training program will gain opportunities for employment, higher-level employment or increased wages.
Chosen businesses must meet these minimum requirements:
- 85% of the participants must complete training
- 65% must gain employment (the unemployed, hired; the underemployed, promoted)
- 75% of incumbent trainees receive pay raises
“Wisconsin Fast Forward is one of many innovative ways DWD is investing in the attraction, skill development and retention of workers in our state,” DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said. “Through these solutions, we are meeting the talent needs of employers so our state’s economy can thrive.”
Other recipients of the Wisconsin Fast Forward grant include:
- TCLAD Inc. in Pierce County
- Sellars Absorbent Materials Inc. in Milwaukee County
- Mitotec Precision in Juneau County
- Arla Foods Inc. in Brown County
- SMC Ltd. in St. Croix County
- Custom Service Plastics Inc. in Walworth County
- Building Automation Products Inc. in Crawford County
- Accord Manufacturing Inc. in Washington County
- Teel Plastics LLC in Sauk County
- Parker Plastics Inc. in Kenosha County
- Mueller Sports Medicine in Sauk County
For more information about the program, you can visit https://wisconsinfastforward.com/.
