About the Department of Workforce Development

DWD Mission & Vision

Mission: DWD efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs, and advocates for the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers.

Vision: DWD envisions a thriving Wisconsin economy in which:

All workers are treated fairly, with dignity and respect;
Employers, government, educational institutions, and workers collaborate to ensure workforce programs meet current and future needs; and
Every job provides the wages and benefits necessary to support workers' basic needs, invest in their future, and actively engage with their families and communities.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) works to make Wisconsin a better place to live and work by strengthening the state’s workforce and supporting economic opportunity for workers, employers, and communities.

DWD administers a wide range of employment and workforce programs that connect job seekers and employers, support individuals in building sustainable careers, and expand career opportunities for people with disabilities and other populations facing barriers to employment. Through Wisconsin Job Centers and other statewide programs, the department provides job search assistance, training opportunities, unemployment insurance services, and workers compensation, and protects employees' rights to fair employment and enforces labor standards, among other protections.

Across its divisions, DWD works toward shared priorities that support Wisconsin’s workforce today and into the future. These priorities focus on:

Strengthening DWD's workforce and workplace culture
Ensuring staff have the tools, skills, and technology needed to serve evolving customer needs
Aligning communications, policies, and programs to advance a thriving Wisconsin economy
Supporting statutory councils and committees that help guide workforce programs
Engaging partners and stakeholders across the state to amplify workforce initiatives

These efforts support Governor Tony Evers’ commitment to building an economy that works for everyone by reducing barriers to employment, expanding access to training, and strengthening partnerships that help prepare Wisconsin’s workforce for the future.

DWD carries out this mission through six divisions led by a Secretary appointed by the Governor.

DWD Divisions

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Amy Pechacek - Secretary
Secretary Pechacek's Bio

Pamela McGillivray - Deputy Secretary
Deputy Secretary McGillivray's Bio

Lee Sensenbrenner - Assistant Deputy Secretary
Assistant Deputy Secretary Sensenbrenner's Bio

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Michele Carter - Administrator
We make Wisconsin a better place to live and work by facilitating innovative, diverse workforce solutions that maximize local resources and federal assets to tailor recruitment, training, incentive and reimbursement strategies to strengthen our state's workers and employers.

EQUAL RIGHTS

Colin Stroud - Administrator
We make Wisconsin a better place to live and work by protecting the rights of workers and job seekers and engaging with employers to achieve compliance with the laws we administer.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Lynda Jarstad - Administrator
We make Wisconsin a better place to live and work by providing creative, efficient, operational solutions to support our business partners in the equitable delivery of programs and services.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Jim Chiolino - Administrator
We make Wisconsin a better place to live and work by stabilizing the economy with benefit payments to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Meredith Dressel - Administrator
We make Wisconsin a better place to live and work by supporting people with disabilities in finding a job, keeping a job, or getting a better job.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION

John Dipko - Administrator
We make Wisconsin a better and safer place to live and work by ensuring that workers get the benefits for which they are eligible while protecting the rights of injured workers, employers, and insurers.

Office Location

STREET ADDRESS
201 E. Washington Avenue, Madison WI 53703

MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 7946, Madison, WI 53707-7946

PHONE NUMBER
(608) 266-3131

FAX NUMBER
(608) 266-1784

Job Center Locations

Wisconsin's Job Centers provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to workforce development services.

Wisconsin Job Center Locations

Vocational Rehabilitation Service Locations

Staff at the Vocation Rehabilitation Service locations provide employment services and counseling to people with disabilities, provide or arrange for services to enable an individual to go to work, and provide training and technical assistance to employers regarding disability employment issues.

DVR Service/Office Locations

Need help finding DWD? Driving Directions | Building Access Map

DWD Related Agencies

Veterans' Employment and Training Service (US Dept. of Labor)
P.O. BOX 8310
Madison, WI 53708

(608) 266-3110