WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsSecretary Gassman gives MATC students tour of new internet employment site

Secretary Gassman gives MATC students tour of new internet employment site

Madison (WKOW) -- from WI Dept. of Workforce Development:  Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman gave Madison Area Technical College students a tour Tuesday of the state's new Internet site, JobCenterofWisconsin.com, a free, interactive site with employment opportunities for all job seekers.

  "As these students complete their education and training at MATC, one of our excellent technical colleges, they can go to JobCenterofWisconsin.com and explore the employment opportunities awaiting them," Secretary Gassman said. "The site is free, user friendly and accessible at all hours of the day. This is an employment site for all job seekers, whether they are looking for their first job or experienced workers looking for a better job."

  Secretary Gassman met with students at the MATC Truax Campus library and gave them a hands-on demonstration of JobCenterOfWisconsin.com, developed as part of Governor Doyle's Grow Wisconsin plan.

  The Wisconsin-based employment site links Wisconsin employers with anyone looking for a job.

  Job seekers can explore job opportunities from their home computers or at Job Centers, libraries or any other place with public Internet access.

  All three students are studying information technology.

  Steve Knapp is seeking a LAMP certificate in open source software; Eric Schaitel is studying to be a web analyst/programmer; and James Retan is systems administration specialist student.

  JobCenterofWisconsin.com replaces the state's JobNet system, which was created in 1993 and has become out-dated. 

  In 2007 DWD and Governor Doyle's Council on Workforce Investment initiated a pilot site operated by the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and its partners.

  DWD further improved the site's function and design with the assistance of job seeker and employer feedback sessions. 

Among the most significant improvements:

• An easy, fill-in-the-blank feature helps job seekers create professional-looking resumes that can be saved, emailed or printed;
• Users may keep resumes confidential or make them available for search by employers;
• Employers can search for skilled employees through key search terms;
• Job seekers can find a list of job fairs and other employment and training events in their area;
• A toll-free help number connects callers with trained staff who can provide assistance and information about employment and training; and
• The site has a user-friendly design with simple navigation.
  

  A second round of upgrades will be added in December, including workshop sign-ups; wage, job trend and career information; and simplified methods for employers to save job postings.

  Users will also be able to view short demonstration videos that describe various careers.

  The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is charged with strengthening Wisconsin's workforce. 

  DWD provides training and employment assistance to job seekers; enforces worker's rights; administers the state's unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, and worker's compensation programs; and works with employers to find appropriate job candidates.