DWD secretary disputes cutback story

Talk about it

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman says a story that appeared on RiverTown Newspaper Group Web sites about DWD shutting down job service centers was wrong.

The story in question, “Doyle administration continues Job Service cutbacks” was a Wheeler News Service story and appeared on Aug. 15.

The story noted that job centers in all 72 counties are being consolidated in 22 cities and many centers are closing as their leases run out.

“DWD is not closing any local job centers. The approximately 75 job centers in Wisconsin are operated by local agencies, not by DWD and usually include staff from several agencies. DWD had leases at 46 centers at the start of the year; we will be in 22 centers by the end of 2008,” said Gassman in a letter to the RiverTown Internet Publisher.

In her letter Gassman acknowledged that it was a wire story.

According to Gassman, DWD plans on making their 150 job service staff more mobile and that they will provide services in more community settings.

“Most job seekers will drive no farther for service. Some may even drive less,” Gassman said.

The story noted the move to community job service and said that the state is also creating what it calls a “virtual job center” online.

The story quoted Gassman as saying the move would save taxpayers $350,000, something she noted in her letter.

“Those changes will save $350,000 in tax dollars while providing the same – or even better – service to most job seekers,” Gassman wrote.

Tags: wisconsin news, dwd, story, correction