Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/BigStep: Announces Madison area program director

Contact: Melanie Mager

Phone: (414) 897-1146

Email: mmager@buildingadvantage.org

WRTP/BIG STEP ANNOUNCES MADISON AREA PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Bill Clingan to Lead Organization’s Efforts in Madison Area

September 2, 2014 (Madison, Wis.) – WRTP/BIG STEP, a nationally recognized, workforce development intermediary based in Milwaukee, announced that Bill Clingan has been named the Madison Area Program Director and will lead the organization’s Madison component. WRTP/BIG STEP has partnered with the Building Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin as well as local developers, contractors, and industry associations operating in Dane County to develop an industry-driven workforce development strategy to meet the demands of the construction industry, and specifically to ensure success on several key projects in Dane County, including the Edgewater, Alliant Energy Center, Doyle Square development, and various road construction projects in the area.

“We are excited that WRTP/BIG STEP has hired a director for the Madison area. Having WRTP/BIG STEP in Madison will be good for the community and good for the construction industry. Their presence will help us to reach out to the community to fulfill the needs of our industry,” said Dave Branson, Executive Director of the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin.

Clingan joins WRTP/BIG STEP with extensive experience administering successful economic and workforce development programs in both Madison and Milwaukee. His nearly 35 year career has focused on meeting community workforce needs through planning and policy efforts at the local, state, and nonprofit level. Before joining WRTP/BIG STEP, Clingan worked with several organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, the Center for Resilient Cities, and the Consortium of Latino Service Providers. Prior to that position, Clingan worked as the Community Development Division Director at the City of Madison. He has also held executive leadership positions at UMOS, the State of Wisconsin Dept. of Workforce Development, and Dane County. He holds a bachelor’s degree, a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree, and has completed coursework toward a PhD in Adult Education from UW-Madison.

With Bill Clingan’s help, we are confident we will be able to achieve similar results in the Madison area. Mark Kessenich, Interim President/CEO of WRTP/BIG STEP said, “We look forward to Bill joining our strong team and utilizing his expertise and relationships in Madison to strengthen the industry and continue the valuable work we are connecting with in the region.”

Clingan will oversee programs with the workforce development and training center, funding agencies, training providers, and community partners, as well as continue ongoing recruitment efforts. He will work directly with employers and unions to create training programs that meet the specific and timely needs of the industry, and promote the overall mission of WRTP/BIG STEP.

About WRTP/BIG STEP

The Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/Building Industry Group’s Skilled Trades Employment Program is an innovative and nationally recognized non-profit workforce intermediary that is Industry-Led, Worker-Centered and Community-Focused. WRTP/BIG STEP’s mission is to enhance the ability of public and private sector organizations to recruit and develop a diverse, qualified workforce in construction, manufacturing and emerging industry sectors of the regional economy.

In 2013, WRTP/BIG STEP exceeded their workforce goals by serving 1862 individuals, placing 743 into careers with an average hourly wage of $17.00. As an industry-led organization, WRTP/BIG STEP’s unique workforce model has allowed them to attain successes garnering them national and local attention including the 2013 Construction Users Roundtable Workforce Development Award, as well as being selected the workforce partner on the Northwestern Mutual Headquarters project in downtown Milwaukee.