U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Welcomes Pat Schramm to Capitol Hill for Dialogue on Workforce Development

Washington D.C. -- U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin recently met with Pat Schramm, Executive Director/CEO of the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin. Their discussion, which included several representatives from the Wisconsin Workforce Development Association, centered on strengthening and reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act and investing in the skills of Wisconsin’s workforce. 

“In order for our Wisconsin businesses to compete and grow we must invest in workforce readiness so we close the skills gap and provide businesses the skilled workers they need,” said Senator Baldwin. “Pat’s leadership on these issues makes her an important asset to the discussion here on Capitol Hill.  Addressing workforce training is an important step in the broader effort to build a “Made in Wisconsin” economy.”

Schramm was invited to Washington, DC to participate in a Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee forum attended by 15 leaders in workforce development. The forum discussion focused on enhancing regional economic stability, creating partnerships between the public/private sectors, and providing workers with 21st century skills to increase American competitiveness. The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin serves Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Marquette and Sauk counties.

Last week, the Senate Budget Committee passed, with bipartisan support, Baldwin’s amendment which proposes a deficit neutral reserve fund to create regional manufacturing hubs that develop and deploy new manufacturing technologies, strengthening the manufacturing industry and creating good-paying American jobs. The public-private partnerships would pair the manufacturing sector with state and local governments, universities, and technical colleges. These hubs then work to develop region-specific world-class manufacturing technologies and products, built by American workers. The amendment will be included in the Budget bill expected on the Senate floor this week.