MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) and Department of Workforce Development (DWD) celebrated the opening of the state’s first job lab within a DOC Probation and Parole office Thursday, Oct. 3. The new space will provide clients on community supervision the opportunity to seamlessly research, apply and interview with potential employers.
The lab, at 4014 Richards St. in Milwaukee, will operate with staff from DOC and DWD. It will be open 17 hours a week and provide access to a host of employment services including: career readiness, résumé development, job search assistance, and services for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
“We recognize that, despite their best efforts, those who are on community supervision may encounter a number of barriers when searching for employment,” said DOC Secretary Jared Hoy. “Through our partnership with DWD, the Milwaukee job lab can help clients overcome those challenges by providing the guidance and resources to match them with jobs that closely align with their skillsets. We look forward to working with our job-seeking clients and exploring the ways we can expand these services to other regions throughout Wisconsin.”
“A job is more than a way to make a living – a job offers structure, purpose, and the opportunity to build skills and move forward in life,” Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “DWD is always looking for ways to connect employers and employees and we were pleased the grant application for federal funds to support the first jobs laboratory of its kind in Wisconsin was successful.”
Using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, DWD and DOC were able to expand on their partnership establishing job labs for individuals releasing and returning from incarceration. Currently, DOC has 11 institution job lab spaces within correctional facilities. By the end of 2024, plans call for 12 operational institution job labs and two community job lab spaces located in probation and parole offices. The second job lab is set to open later this month in the Janesville Probation and Parole Office.
