GOV. DOYLE UNVEILS 'JOBS FOR THE FUTURE' INITIATIVE

Gov. Jim Doyle, D-Wis., issued the following news release:

Gov. Jim Doyle today announced a major job creation initiative that will build partnerships between businesses and schools so that our youth and workers are trained for the high tech job market. The announcement will include training 36,000 Wisconsin workers and investing in manufacturing and high tech industries that will produce tomorrow's jobs for tomorrow's workers. The initiative also calls for continued investment in stem cell research and renewable energy, as well as raising high school graduation standards.

"In the past four years, I have worked to create 170,000 new jobs for our state - but the job isn't finished yet," Governor Doyle said. "We need to make sure there are enough jobs for our young people, and that our young people are prepared for those jobs in the high tech job market."

Building Partnerships Between Businesses and Schools

The Governor will propose doubling funding for the Youth Apprenticeship Program in his next budget, a successful tool that helps train thousands of young people across the state. The Program partners businesses with students who are interested in learning a trade, from manufacturing to insurance to biotechnology. The Governor's expansion - from $1.1 million annually to $2.2 million a year - will offer opportunities for at least 4,000 high school students and more than 1,400 businesses.

Investing in Manufacturing and High Tech Business

Governor Doyle recognizes that the jobs of tomorrow are coming from high tech sectors including biotechnology, stem cell research, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Yet, many of these industries face a shortage of skilled workers. Therefore, Governor Doyle is proposing a comprehensive effort to prepare our young people for the high tech jobs of the future:

* Governor Doyle is directing the Department of Workforce Development to use $850,000 in federal funds to develop an Emerging Industries Skills Partnership. The state will offer grants to businesses, industry associations and technical colleges to train thousands of workers in those fields.

* The Get LEAN manufacturing initiative will give local economic development corporations, technical colleges, Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center, and Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership the opportunity to compete for this funding. $1.5 million will be used to support initiatives to help manufacturers learn and adopt Lean techniques to produce more goods of higher quality with less effort, space, capital and time.

* Stem Cell Research. Governor Doyle has launched an effort to capitalize on Wisconsin's leadership in embryonic stem cell research - setting a goal for our state to capture 10 percent of the stem cell market by 2015. The Governor has directed the Department of Commerce to dedicate $5 million to find, fund and recruit stem cell companies to Wisconsin.

"Wisconsin - the birthplace of stem cell research - is giving millions of families hope that one day diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Juvenile Diabetes may be conquered. These breakthroughs in medical science can transform our economy and open our doors to the high-paying jobs of the future," Governor Doyle said. "It is time for us to tap the vast potential of this industry."

* Renewable Energy. In order for the state to capture 10 percent of the renewable fuels market, Governor Doyle has launched a $450 million public and private investment strategy to invest in renewable fuels such as ethanol - including $80 million in loans, grants and tax credits - to spur growth in this industry, while creating tens of thousands of new, promising jobs for our young people.

* The state will leverage $20 million in private investment to teach entrepreneurship in medical schools, engineering schools and life sciences programs.

Raising Standards in Our Schools and Preparing Workers for the Jobs of Tomorrow

Preparing workers for the jobs of tomorrow begins in the classroom. As a first step, Governor Doyle will raise Wisconsin's graduation requirements which are currently behind other states and other countries - and don't meet the basic standards for admission into the UW System. The Governor proposes making a third year of science and a third year of math mandatory for high school graduation.

Governor Doyle is also proposing additional funds to support worker training:

* In his next budget, Governor Doyle will increase funding for Wisconsin Workforce Advancement Training Grants from $2 million to $8 million, allowing Wisconsin's Technical Colleges to train 36,000 workers and help about 300 employers throughout the state become more competitive.

* Governor Doyle will direct 75% of the funding toward Wisconsin manufacturers - which remain key to job creation and economic growth in our state.

* Governor Doyle will create a statewide manufacturing worker certification program with the goal of having at least 40 percent of our workers receiving the Manufacturing Skills Standard Certification by 2016. To achieve this goal, the Governor will allocate $250,000 in existing federal funds to increase the number of MSSC assessment centers and assessment tests available to workers.

Additional information about the Jobs for the Future initiative can be found at: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=9687

Contact: Carla Vigue, 608/261-2162.