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Wisconsin’s Technical College System (WTCS) is among the nation’s best and has helped thousands of people achieve highly skilled jobs that pay living wages. WTCS serves a wide variety of individuals each year, including many that are striving to make the transition from welfare to work.
The W-2 welfare program does not adequately include education or training opportunities for participation in WTCS courses. Prior to W-2, certain welfare clients could enroll in WTCS courses that taught productive skills leading to long- term employment.
Under current law, a W-2 client who is participating in a community service job or transitional placement may participate in a technical college education program if certain requirements are met. These requirements are that a W-2 agency, after consulting with a community steering committee and a technical college district board, determines the education program is likely to lead to employment. The participant also must be a full-time student in the education program and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.
WEAC supported a provision in the 1997-99 state budget allowing certain W-2 clients to count attendance at a technical college toward their work requirement.
Both houses of the Legislature approved the WTCS W-2 amendment to the budget; however, Governor Thompson vetoed the provision. In his veto message, Governor Thompson emphasized that technical colleges have an important role in W-2 and in helping people move forward in the labor market. He concluded that as W-2 progressed he would continue to examine the balance of work experience, education, and training.
WEAC supported a provision in the 1999-2001 budget allowing W-2 clients to complete technical college education programs under certain provisions with work hours required.
The governor partially vetoed the WTCS W-2 sections of the bill to remove the ability of W-2 participants to initiate the education program.
The veto also ensures that any participant wishing to attend a technical college must work 25 hours per week. His action makes W-2 financial employment planners the final authority in initiating the education program for W-2 participants.
WEAC strongly supports passage of legislation that strengthens the WTCS education and training component. This includes allowing W-2 clients to take their own initiative to complete a WTCS education program.
Contact Bob Burke in the WEAC Government Relations Division at 800-362- 8034 ext. 254 or by e-mail at burkeb@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.
Posted June 6, 2000