Business Solutions

Employ Milwaukee’s Business Services team works closely with businesses to understand their needs and provide tailored talent solutions including labor market information, recruitment, job readiness training, pre-screening, specialized training, On-The-Job (OJT) training, human resource services, and retention services. Employ Milwaukee wants businesses of all sizes to thrive in Southeastern Wisconsin, whether it’s a small family-owned business, large company with specific staffing needs, or a new employer considering a move to the area.

Meet Our Business Services Team

Carrie Diener, MBA

Carrie is a Business Sector Specialist with Employ Milwaukee and has more than 20 years-experience working in higher education administration and workforce development. As the former Director of Career Services for Bryant and Stratton College (WI Region) she and her team assisted students in developing career readiness skills through workshops, presentations, and curriculum enhancements, as well as coordinating internship experiences and career placement upon graduation. While working as a Corporate Learning Consultant with MATC Workforce Solutions, she was engaged in helping organizations identify and implement trainings to upskill and retain workers. In addition to her higher education experience, Carrie has been very active with Dale Carnegie Training assisting as a training coach and has been an active member of many local professional organizations and networking groups related to acquisition and retention of employees. Carrie focuses on IT, Financial Services, Manufacturing and Transportation & Logistics sectors.

Jeffrey McAlister

Jeffrey McAlister has 20 plus years of proven experience managing strategic workforce initiatives ranging from working to advance government policy, to improving community outreach and relations, and importantly - managing programs. McAlister currently serves as Employ Milwaukee’s Hospitality Industry Advisory Board (H-IAB) Manager, as well as sector specialist for Employ Milwaukee’s health sector initiatives. He served as Assistant Project Director and acted as liaison to Employer and Education subcommittees of the Milwaukee Area Healthcare Alliance a $3.4M federal CareerWorks Healthcare Training Institute, the predecessor to Employ Milwaukee successful development of its marquis industry led partnership, the Center of Healthcare Careers of Southeast Wisconsin (CHCSEW). He is a graduate of the 2010 Aspen Institute’s Sector skills Academy and currently serves as a member of the MATC Hospitality Advisory Board.

Employer Unemployment & Rapid Response Resources

The Rapid Response Team is able to begin working with your company as soon as you provide notice that your company is considering or experiencing temporary or permanent layoffs. We can provide you and your workforce with information and resources to assist both during a difficult transition time. The first step to obtaining assistance to contact the Rapid Response Coordinator. For businesses in Milwaukee County, contact Jeffrey McAlister: jeffrey.mcalister@employmilwaukee.org or Carrie Diener: carrie.diener@employmilwaukee.org

For businesses experiencing permanent or temporary layoffs, please click HERE for complete details.

Online Information Sessions may be available.

On-the-Job Training

On-the-Job Training (OJT) is a work-based training model that is considered one of the most effective ways to train new employees. OJT’s improve motivation and retention of new hires, reinforce ongoing learning and upgrade transferable skills. The OJT program is especially helpful to businesses that find a new hire candidate who would be a great fit with the company culture and demonstrates potential for long-term employment but may lack technical skills. OJT is a great method for teaching technical skills while helping to offset the employer’s cost associated with any loss of productive time while training a new hire.

Specialized Training

Specialized Training, also known as class-sized training projects, is a tool used to help businesses meet the challenging demands of an industry to increase productivity. We work collaboratively with the business, local technical colleges and/or other training experts, to design a curriculum to meet business demand. Specialized trainings benefit the businesses because:

•Businesses have direct input in designing the curriculum which allows greater flexibility to meet their respective specific workforce needs;

•They help meet workforce demands quicker because trainings are typically short term;

•Businesses have access to candidates while they are in training to ensure they find the right fit for their business.

To benefit from our Specialized Training services, businesses agree to give first priority hiring consideration to the trainees upon successful completion of the training.

Incumbent Worker Training

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides both workers and employers with the opportunity to build and maintain a quality workforce and increase both the worker's and company's competitiveness.It is a type of work-based training and upskilling designed to ensure that employees of a business can acquire the skills necessary to retain employment and advance within the company, creating backfill opportunities, or to acquire the skills necessary to avert a layoff.

Contact Business Services at (414) 270-1700 or biz.services@employmilwaukee.org to learn more about these opportunities to grow your workforce.

Wisconsin Fast Forward

The Wisconsin Fast Forward program awards customized worker training grants to Wisconsin businesses to fill current and ongoing skill requirements. Employers in all sectors with worker training needs are encouraged to apply for available grants.