Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce: New correctional training program will tackle labor shortage, recidivism

MADISON – Gov. Scott Walker announced a new plan on Thursday to invest in worker training programs at Wisconsin’s correctional facilities. The technical training centers would partner with local technical colleges and private employers to help prepare incarcerated individuals for available jobs once they are released.

After the announcement, WMC President & CEO Kurt R. Bauer praised the plan as another pillar of Gov. Walker’s plan to build a ready and successful workforce.

“We hear from employers every day that they are struggling to find workers,” said Bauer. “As individuals prepare to reenter the workforce after their sentence, it should be a priority to get them the skills necessary for the jobs and careers our state has available.”

Gov. Walker’s administration said the plan would be included in his 2019-21 capital budget with an estimated cost of $25-45 million.

“We know that both violent and non-violent offenders are being released from our correction facilities on a daily basis and a job is one of the top things that will prevent them from committing another crime,” Bauer added. “If we can better prepare these individuals while they are incarcerated, there is a much higher chance that they will become productive members of society in the future. This will not only better their lives, but it will be yet another way to help our employers solve the workforce shortage.”