Wisconsin Seasonal Workforce Coalition: Community innovation produces employment opportunities

CONTACT: Pat Delmenhorst 414-291-7500

pdelmenhorst@interfaithmilw.org

http://www.seasonalworkerswi.org

Seasonal Employment is the Bridge to Permanent Employment

Milwaukee, WI – October 14, 2009 – Wisconsin Seasonal Workforce Coalition, a project funded by United Way of Greater Milwaukee, is assisting 1,600 seasonal workers employed at BUYSEASONS, Inc. to find another seasonal or full time position. This effort is unique in that community based organizations are partnering with employers to help them share their employees across the calendar year.

The Coalition is also providing job search assistance to these employees. MATHER, Milwaukee Area Transitional Human Resource professionals, are volunteering their time to assist these exiting workers with resumes, cover letters and interviewing critiques. Within the next two weeks 10 employers will be at BUYSEASONS to interview exiting workers. The employers currently participating in the Coalition are: UPS, Marcus Corporation, U.S. Cellular, H&R Block, Time Warner Cable, Stowell Associates, SelectStaff, Home Instead, WE Energies, Interfaith Personal Care Plus, Klement’s Sausage, Design Specialties, and Milwaukee County Parks & Zoo. Community based organizations involved in the project include: Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Inc., Policy Studies, Inc., Milwaukee God Squad, Center for Veteran’s issues, Creative Employment Opportunities, Goodwill Industries of SE Wisconsin, Lao Family Community, Milwaukee Earn and Learn, UMOS, as well as Milwaukee and Waukesha Workforce Development Boards.

David Karst, V.P. of Human Resources at BUYSEASONS, states that “the Wisconsin Seasonal Workforce Coalition is an opportunity for employers and Community Based Organizations to share resources and, most importantly, create opportunities to employ individuals year round. The Coalition is developing as a placement center for seasonal and part-time workers that leads into permanent full-time positions.”

According to Pat Delmenhorst, Coordinator for the Project, “in these difficult economic times it is exciting to find ways of helping individual’s bridge employment until something permanent is available. The Coalition recognizes that seasonal employment equals future opportunities. There are many stories of successful individuals that started their careers with a seasonal employment position.”

The Coalition is currently looking to expand both its employer and community based partners. To learn more about the project, please contact Pat Delmenhorst at 291-7500 or email: pdelmenhorst@interfaithmilw.org.