Contact:
Rose Lynch (608) 266-6753
Madison – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced that her agency was one of three state agencies recognized for excellence in diversity achievements by the State Council on Affirmative Action in a ceremony at the State Capitol today.
“We are very pleased to be honored with this award today in recognition of the Department’s efforts to employ a diverse workforce,” said Gassman. “A diverse workforce helps us to promote a delivery system that appreciates and is responsive to all the customers that we serve.”
The department was selected for its strong commitment to upward mobility, which included filling nine of eleven available management positions this year with targeted group members. The department also developed an innovative and applicant-friendly recruitment plan to hire a diverse group of candidates, which included advertising in multiple newspapers and publishing Internet job announcements.
The Department continues to demonstrate a commitment to the state’s Summer Affirmative Action Internship Program, which provides college students with practical and meaningful work experience to help prepare them for entering the workforce. Workforce demographics for DWD show higher percentages of racial/ethnic minorities, women, and persons with disabilities than the statewide labor force percentages. It has also demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity within Limited Term and Project positions.
The State Council on Affirmative Action’s Diversity Awards recognize achievement in all phases of equal employment opportunity/affirmative action programs, disability services, retention and upward mobility.
