The City of Milwaukee is pleased to once again offer transitional jobs information sessions for Milwaukee residents. In collaboration with the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB), the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) and in association with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, two sessions are being held for unemployed individuals interested in 115 newly-created six-month transitional jobs with the City of Milwaukee.

Transitional Jobs participants who are successfully recruited, interviewed and employed will have the opportunity to work in the Department of Public Works, the Department of City Development and Neighborhood Services, and the Port of Milwaukee.  The 115 workers will gain skills and experience while working under the direct supervision of city supervisors and alongside city employees and will be paid at least $10.10 per hour.

The sessions are scheduled at the following date and times:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 11:00 to 1:00 a.m. at MATC’s Education Center 816 West National Ave. Milwaukee, 53204

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at MATC’s Education Center 816 West National Ave. Milwaukee, 53204

Individuals interested in applying for the Compete Milwaukee transitional jobs MUST meet the following requirements and attend the information session on February 11, 2015:

• Must reside in this geographical area at the time of enrollment: Sherman Boulevard on the West, Silver Spring Drive on the North, Hwy I-43 on the East, and Mitchell Street on the South.
• Must be 18—64 years old at the time of enrollment.
• If 24 years of age or older, MUST be the biological, adoptive or primary relative caregiver of a child under the age of 18.
• Individual must have one of the following: a child support order, a child welfare reunification plan or be an ex-offender.
• Must have been unemployed for the last four (4) consecutive calendar weeks prior to enrollment.
• Cannot be receiving W2 benefits and not eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance Compensation.
• Have an annual household income that is less than 150% of the federal poverty guideline for the household size.

NOTE: Individuals who participated in the Transform Milwaukee Jobs Program are not eligible to participate in Compete Milwaukee.

For more information, job seekers can call UMOS at (414) 389-6000 and visit the Compete Milwaukee website.

“I want to encourage Milwaukee residents to take a close look at the Compete Milwaukee program, which provides transitional jobs at the City of Milwaukee to unemployed individuals.  If you, a family member or an acquaintance might be eligible for the transitional jobs program, we urge you to attend the informational session on February 11th to learn about this opportunity.  We have had a good response, and there are still many placements available,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.  “Our continued hope is that these individuals receive quality training and experience and go on to gain full-time employment.”

Alderman José G. Pérez, a co-sponsor of Compete Milwaukee, said participants have an array of possible job and skill opportunities because of the variety of city departments taking part in the initiative. “Compete Milwaukee is offering an open doorway where residents in some of the city’s most challenged areas can make their way into the employment pipeline,” Alderman Pérez said. “This is a program that should not be missed, and I encourage job seekers who live in the targeted area and who meet the qualifications to come down on February 11th and see what Compete Milwaukee has to offer.”

“We are eager to continue with these temporary job placements as a means for participants to gain skills that will make them more competitive and could lead to full-time, family supporting employment, and we are grateful for the support of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and the City of Milwaukee,” states Lupe Martinez, President and Chief Executive Officer, UMOS.