MAY 2023

WORKFORCE

CHRONICLES

CEO Insights

Happy May. Although it might not seem like it, summer is right around the corner! Prior to this busy season I like to take pause, and with Mother’s Day approaching I thought it appropriate to pause and reflect on some of the lessons I learned from my mother.

My mother was a strong, tough woman, with a work ethic like no other. She impressed onto me that if you’re going to do something, you must give it 125%. And if you can’t give it 125%, you should not be doing it. Her deep values of hard work, integrity, and commitment are things I carry with me daily in my professional and personal life.

As well as bringing the lessons my mother taught me into my work, I bring in the lessons I’ve learned being a mother and use this to underscore how I lead. Being a mother means to be endlessly learning and adapting, as well as having a great storage of understanding and empathy. By leading with understanding and meeting others where they're at, we are far better poised to create spaces where healthy communication and welcoming culture blossoms into hard work and innovation.

This month I encourage you to pause and think about the mother-figure in your life and the lessons you carry with you because of the investments that person made in you. Think, too, about how you can pay this investment forward into your community and the people around you.

Sincerely,

Chytania Brown

President & CEO

chytania.brown@employmilwaukee.org

FUNDING UPDATE

Kohl's Hometown Partner

Employ Milwaukee is excited to announce Kohl's has invested $500,000 for innovative workforce programming! Employ Milwaukee has been a Hometown Partner of Kohl's since 2021 and is proud to continue this collaborative partnership that will continue to better the lives of historically underserved communities in Milwaukee. Thanks to Kohl's generous support, EMI will double down on IT skills training and Digital Literacy Lab efforts. Since 2021, Employ Milwaukee and Kohl's has been able to plant seeds and grow strong roots: follow along to see how this investment will help our city flourish!

Left to right: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Tara Geiter (Kohl's Director of Community Relations), Chytania Brown, and David Crowley (Milwaukee County Executive) attend the opening of Employ Milwaukee's Digital Literacy Lab in March of 2022.

STATE OF LABOR

EMI's State of the Labor Market Brief

Employ Milwaukee is your expert on the labor market in Milwaukee County. See below for the latest metrics.

SUCCESS STORY

Kinship Community Food Center

There’s something to be said about how a genuine moment, like preparing a meal, can evolve into an exchange of stories, ideas, trust, and cooperation. In the instance of the Food Center Training program at Kinship Community Food Center, these experiences go far beyond the kitchen.

Food Center Director, Caitlin Cullen helped launch the first cohort of individuals in Paid Work Experiences at Kinship’s Food Center through Employ Milwaukee’s Skillful Transitions (WAI) grant. After owning her own restaurant, Caitlin now finds fulfilment empowering others at Kinship. The program allows participants to gain temporary work experience by learning culinary skills and the professional development needed to take the next step in their employment journey. Caitlin looks forward to expanding the program to include more participants and possibly catering events.

“What keeps me going is being the change I want to see. We’re a community resource that’s looking to make a long-term effect, both for our community and those in the program.” Caitlin said.

Caitlin Cullen (left) and Orlando Pacheo (right)

Orlando Pacheco started volunteering at Kinship when he first heard about the program. He was enrolled in the Skillful Transitions grant to start a “transitional job” or Paid Work Experience at $17/hr. that will last for about four to five months, so he can continue to hone his skills. Orlando’s story of perseverance and opportunity embodies the mission and goals of the Skillful Transitions (WAI) grant by empowering Milwaukee jobseekers and their community.

“It gives me hope and it keeps me going. It allows me to be an example of someone who is doing something good. Even when some of us didn’t believe in ourselves, [they] saw talent and they wanted to help me improve. I’m grateful,” Orlando said.

The Skillful Transitions (WAI) grant assists businesses and non-profits like Kinship by funding the wages for these limited term jobs. Participants in Paid Work Experiences work up to 29 hours a week while Employ Milwaukee serves as the Employer of Record.

The Skillful Transitions (WAI) grant is funded using American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA SLFRF).

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT

Industry Highlight: Retail & Hospitality

Upcoming Opportunities and Events!

Earn & Learn Summer Youth Employment

Earn & Learn is designed to provide meaningful work experiences and career exposure to young adults ages14-24 years old, residing in Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee. Applications are now open for participants and employers.

Earn & Learn

Milwaukee Water Works Community Project

Interested in a starting your career in an essential municipal service field? The Milwaukee Water Works Community projects has four training tracks to train workers for stable, well-paying jobs.

Learn More

EMI's Job Seeker Newsletter

We launched a weekly newsletter where you can receive updates about job opportunities, open positions, hiring events and skills training programs! If you're looking for a job in the Milwaukee area, sign up to receive hot job updates right to your inbox! Sign up today.

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HIRING CORNER

Looking for a career in workforce development? Come join us at Employ Milwaukee! We are currently on the lookout for ‘go-getter’ talent to join our A-Team at the agency in the following areas:

Program Specialist
Workforce Specialist
Earn and Learn Specialist
Accounting Intern

EMI Employment Opportunities

For more information about

Employ Milwaukee’s programs

and services, please visit: www.employmilwaukee.org

or call (414) 270-1700.

Employ Milwaukee is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Service Provider and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to

individuals with disabilities or language needs.