Social Justice Center

Social Justice Center

Employment Resources

Originally created by Spring 2023 Badger Volunteers Tracy Wang, Teresa Le-Vu and Rachel Novick, updated by Kristin Mathews for Fall 2023

 

Finding a job can be difficult for anyone, regardless of location or experience. But there are some really great options available to people looking for help with making a career change or finding work in the Dane county area . We hope these resources will make it less stressful to find job opportunities that fit your skills and interests.

Dane County Job Center

The Dane County Job Center is a go-to resource for anything related to employment. There are several different departments and programs one can access through the Job Center. The Job Services department is a great place to start if you need assistance with resume writing, job applications, interview tips, help registering for the Job Center’s job search platform, JobCenterofWisconsin.com, or navigating the Unemployment Insurance online system. They also offer workshops and career exploration tools. However, at the Job Center there is assistance available for vets, laid off workers and training for the trades. We also have programs for young adults, adult education and learning English and support through our vocational rehab division.

Connect with Job Center of Wisconsin staff at Jobcenterofwisconsin.com.  On the website, use this directory find local service contact info, click your county on the map to open a window with county-specific information.

Dane county-specific website: www.scwijobs.com/

1819 Aberg Ave Madison, WI 53704

Telephone: (608) 405-4400, TDD/TTY: 711

Hours: M-F: 8am – 4:30pm, closed weekends

Service Departments:

  • Job Service
  • Office of Veteran Employment Services
  • Dislocated Worker Program 
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance Program (TAA) 
  • Extensive Career and Training Services for Adults
  • Young Adult (14-24) Services and Programs
  • Adult Education and English Language Learning program
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

 

Forward Service Corporation 

FSC helps thousands of customers every year find new jobs and careers with quality services that include career guidance, training, work experience, and supportive services. They also have connections with hundreds of employers to help you launch a new career. Check out their website for more information about their many services. Some examples include:

  • FSET – If you haven’t heard of FSET, it’s the FoodShare Employment and Training program, and it can help you find and keep a great job. Whether you call them food stamps, food share, SNAP, or QUEST card – they all qualify you for the FSET program.
  • HCST-Good-paying jobs are waiting for you. HCST provides six weeks of training to launch graduates on an exciting career in construction.
  • WIOA – Whether you are just out of high school, have been working for a while, or been laid off from your job, WIOA can help you map a new career path. We’ll work together to find your best options and get you the training and education to get started.
  • TrANS – 6 weeks of training for career in construction, for HS graduates 
  • Upward Bound – helps 1st generation high school students prepare for and succeed in post-secondary education. 
  • Wisconsin Works (W2) – If you’re a parent having trouble making ends meet or have a disability that gets in the way of keeping a job, Wisconsin Works can help. Wisconsin Works, or W-2, is a job-based program that provides cash assistance to eligible parents to help you prepare for a career.
  • Emergency Assistance – If you’re about to lose your home or have utilities shut off, Emergency Assistance may be able to help with one-time payment for select costs and circumstances.
  • Job Access Loans (JAL) – Starting a new job and have some expenses that may end it before it begins? Have a job but your car just broke down? Then a Job Access Loan (JAL) could be just what you need. Short-term, no-interest loans of up to $1600 to get or keep a job.
  • WETAP – Reliable transportation is key for having a career. WETAP provides no-interest vehicle repair and purchase loans across our service area.

 

Employment Support

Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

DVR is a program designed to obtain, maintain, and advance employment for people with disabilities, especially those who face a substantial barrier to employment. For individuals living with disabilities, DVR can provide employment services and counseling as well as arrange for services to enable an individual to go to work.

Services include:

  • Career guidance and counseling
  • Job search and placement assistance
  • Information and Referral Services
  • Transition to work services for students with disabilities in high school
  • Supported Employment services for persons with severe disabilities
  • Rehabilitation technology, interpreter services
  • Vocational and other training, occupational licenses, tools and other equipment
  • Disability and Employment Assessment
  • Transportation
  • Assistance in small-business plan development
  • Rehabilitation teaching services
  • Diagnosis and treatment

 

One of DVR’s services is the DVR Career Pathways Advancement Initiative, which offers individualized support for for people with disabilities interested in advancing their career in information/digital technology, healthcare, construction, or manufacturing. The first step toward utilizing any of DVR’s services is to complete the application/referral, whether that’s online or in-person at a DVR office location (Job Center is a DVR location).

 

Chrysalis

Chrysalis believes that every person with a mental illness is capable of working competitively in the community with the right kind of support and job.

Supported Employment, Individual Placement and Support (IPS) – Chrysalis services follow the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment. The goal is to help individuals find and maintain competitive, community-based employment that matches their individual skills, interests, and abilities.

Individuals work with one designated Employment Specialist through their entire employment process from intake to long-term support. To best adhere to the principles of IPS; which emphasizes an integrated approach to employment services, individuals interested in employment services must be connected to one of the following mental health teams (Gateway CSP, Community Treatment Alternatives, Community Intervention Team, SOAR, FLYY, RISE, and GROW CCS).

IPS Supported Employment is an approach to vocational rehabilitation for people with serious mental illnesses that emphasizes helping people obtain competitive work in the community and providing the supports necessary to ensure their success in the workplace. Individuals are offered help finding and keeping jobs that capitalize on their personal strengths and motivation.

Vocational Peer Support – Individuals must be enrolled in Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) or Community Recovery Services (CRS).

Contact: Peer Specialist Supervisor Kurt Stapleton, 608-256-3102, stapleton@workwithchrysalis.org.

 

Training & Career Programs

Wisconsin Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is an “earn while you learn” program providing on-the-job training and related instruction. The employer teaches the skills of the occupation. An area technical college or private training center teaches the theoretical knowledge pertaining to the specific occupation. Find apprenticeship opportunities online via the WI Dept. of Workforce Development (DWD), click here to go to the DWD website.

 

Urban League 

Urban League of Greater Madison (UGLM) is another great resource if you’re looking to advance your career! The Urban League of Greater Madison’s Workforce Development Department seeks to connect job seekers to sustainable employment opportunities. They work to remove barriers that might keep job seekers from gainful employment. Their network of employee partners includes some of Madison’s top employers. Learn more about the resources Urban League has to offer at ulgm.org/career-academies.

 

Just Bakery Vocational training program

Just Bakery is a 12 week educational and vocational training program. The program works with individuals who are experiencing significant barriers to employment (homelessness, justice involved, lack of education, and/or a lack of work history or skills). Just Bakery utilizes the National Restaurant Association’s “ManageFirst” curriculum, teaching hospitality and restaurant management, supervision, cost control, nutrition, and ServSafe to our students, as well as intro to baking hands-on in our commercial kitchen. This curriculum allows students to earn up to 12 college credits and gain automatic acceptance into the Madison College Culinary Program.  Students also receive sales and marketing experience by working side by side with program staff in a variety of sales venues, learning customer service skills and front of the house skills. If you are looking for a career helping to transform individual lives and social systems, then we would love to talk to you! JustDane is currently recruiting for several roles to join our professional team in creating a just and equitable community.

   

Operation Fresh Start

For young adults looking to broaden their career opportunities, Operation Fresh Start (OFS) is an excellent resource. They offer career counseling for young adults (ages 17-24) and several training programs. The OFS Build Academy and Conservation Academy are full-time, hands-on, paid training programs for individuals ages 18–24. In both programs, participants earn a starting wage of $15/hour while training and will be placed in a self-sustaining career after successfully completing the training program. The Build Academy trains for a career in construction while Conservation Academy trains for a career in land management, parks, forestry, or landscaping. The OFS Healthcare Academy supports 18-24 year olds while they’re enrolled in a 12-week Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship Program at UW Health. By the end of the program, participants have the opportunity to take the state licensure exam to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and will be eligible to interview for available Nursing Assistant positions at UW Health hospitals.

To learn more, go to https://www.operationfreshstart.org/, call 608-244-4721, or email info@operationfreshstart.org. 

 

Where to Look for Jobs

The Wisconsin Job Center maintains a list of job opportunities online https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/Presentation/JobSeekers/JobSearch.aspx 

Concerned about your record holding you back? Check our Honest Jobs or Jobs For Felons. Just Dane’s career fair is another place to get support during the job search.

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