WUWM 89.7: Presents Project Milwaukee: Help wanted series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 18, 2012

For more information, contact:
Cynthia Akey, WUWM
414.270.1137, cynthiaa@uwm.edu
www.wuwm.com/press

October 29 – November 2, 2012

Uncovering the Truth Behind Wisconsin’s Skills Gap

MILWAUKEE, WI – Many Wisconsin companies have job openings, but cannot
find skilled workers. As a result, employers say they are losing business.
Meanwhile, prospective workers are having trouble finding jobs that offer
both a family-supporting wage and a career track. WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee
Public Radio will explore the growing concern over the “skills gap,” in
the Project Milwaukee: Help Wanted series.

WUWM’s Project Milwaukee. Our Region. Our Future.

WUWM’s Project Milwaukee explores vital issues in the region, through
in-depth reporting. From Monday, October 29 to Friday, November 2, Project
Milwaukee: Help Wanted reports and interviews will air during Morning
Edition, All Things Considered, Lake Effect and Lake Effect Weekend. The
series will include a public forum on Tuesday, October 30th at
MATC-Downtown Campus. The forum will air during Lake Effect on Friday at
10 a.m.

WUWM News journalists and Lake Effect producers will tackle the skills
gap-from both the employers’ and workers’ perspective. News stories and
interviews will address the skills gap, including its impact on the
community, and what leaders are doing to deal with the problem.

Attend the Forum
WUWM invites listeners and the community to attend a public forum
featuring civic leaders, planners and business leaders. The discussion
will be held on Tuesday, October 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at MATC- Downtown
Campus (1015 N. 6th Street, Milwaukee – 6th Floor Conference Center, Room
M605). Audience members are encouraged to participate in a question and
answer session. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are
suggested. RSVP by 10/29 at http://projmke-helpwanted.eventbrite.com

or call WUWM at 414-270-1224.

The panel discussion, moderated by Lake Effect Executive Producer Mitch
Teich, will focus on what role educators, the public and private sector
and others should play in order to close the skills gap. Bob Bach will
facilitate the question and answer session.

Project Milwaukee: Help Wanted Forum Panelists include:

EARL BUFORD

Earl Buford is President and CEO of the Wisconsin Regional Training
Partnership/BIG-STEP. His career includes 16 years of experience in
workforce development, diversity initiatives, and program management.

VICKI MARTIN

Dr. Vicki J. Martin is Executive Vice President/Provost of Milwaukee Area
Technical College. She oversees all academic divisions of the college, and
has responsibilities for the college’s Student Services, Information
Technology and regional campuses.

LOIS QUINN

Lois Quinn is a senior scientist with the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee Employment and Training Institute. Her department
addresses workforce training, driver’s license, child care, and education
needs of low-income and unemployed Wisconsin workers.

RICH ROVITO

Rich Rovito is a Milwaukee-based reporter with more than two decades of
experience.
He covered the manufacturing and labor beats at The Business Journal
Serving Greater Milwaukee for 12 years, and provided in-depth reporting on
the skills gap.

TIM SULLIVAN

Timothy Sullivan is former Director and CEO of Bucyrus International Inc.,
the world’s largest manufacturer of mining machinery. He currently chairs
the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment, and the
Wisconsin Governor’s College and Workforce Readiness Council.

Visit WUWM’s website for more information: www.wuwm.com/projectmilwaukee

###