MADISON –— The Department of Workforce Development’s Office of Economic Advisors received the Community, Economic, and Workforce Research 2022 Award for Best Regional Resilience from The Council for Community and Economic Research. DWD economists received the award for research and data analysis supporting business, economic, and workforce development activities at the regional level with the county workforce profiles.
Wisconsin has seen great change in its economic recovery following the pandemic. The state’s monthly unemployment rate hit an all-time low, while the number of employed reached an all-time high. For the 12-month period ending in July, Wisconsin has added 40,100 private-sector jobs and 36,300 total nonfarm jobs. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate, at 66.2% in July, was 4.1 percentage points higher than the national rate of 62.1%. The volume of weekly unemployment insurance claims, which reached historic highs during the pandemic, has plunged to a historic weekly low this year.
“With all this change, it is crucial for employers and job seekers alike to be armed with resources to successfully navigate the new workforce landscape,” DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said. “DWD is providing that resource with its award-winning county workforce profiles.”
Every two years, DWD economists compile and distill local data on all 72 Wisconsin counties. The county workforce profiles highlight the latest available data at the local level and are a valuable resource for all partners in labor, commerce and government, as well as the general public. These snapshots have become an essential tool for economic development professionals, regional planners, researchers, business leaders, policymakers, students, and workers considering new employment opportunities. The latest profiles reveal the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data and analysis set the stage for Wisconsin’s robust recovery, highlighting the resilience of the state’s workforce, the strength of its economy, and industries poised for job growth.
“The Office of Economic Advisors is proud to accept this award and it is a pleasure to be recognized for our staff’s dedication to timely, accurate information for stakeholders, partners, and citizens,” said Dennis Winters, DWD chief economist.
Through partnership, commitment, and innovation, DWD is proud to provide resources such as the award-winning county workforce profiles to help build a better workforce and advance Wisconsin’s thriving economy.