Wisconsin
Senior
Employment Program (WISE)
The Wisconsin Senior Employment Program (Senior Community Services
Employment Program) is an employment training program for low-income, unemployed individuals aged 55 years and older.
The program provides subsidized, part-time work experience for a limited
time through community service to obtain the skills necessary for
permanent employment. Participants in the program learn new skills and
talents, or enhance existing ones, through valuable work experience and
other training to become competitive in today's workforce.
The Senior Employment Program is funded under Title V of the Older
Americans Act. It is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services through area agencies on aging and various other
non-profit organizations.
Senior Community Services
Employment Program:
What Do Most Individuals Want?
-Receive an income.
-Obtain benefits.
-Develop new skills.
-Feel useful and needed.
-Make new friends and stay in touch with the world.
-Provide structure to one’s life.
-Have a sense of achievement and accomplishment.
-Know that you are a valuable asset to the community and yourself.
Older Workers are Good for Business
The assets of older workers are increasingly being recognized by
employers. Those assets
include a strong work ethic, high productivity, extensive life and work
experience, low absenteeism and turnover rates.
Many Wisconsin employers are hiring older workers as part of their
recruitment efforts to utilize the skills, experience and talents they
possess.
Who is Eligible?
Individuals applying for the Wisconsin Senior Employment Program (WISE)
must meet specific requirements in order to be eligible:
-
A legal resident of Wisconsin.
-
55 years of age and older.
-
Unemployed.
-
A
limited income at no more than 125% of the federal poverty level.
Contact a WISE
Program Coordinator in your county to determine whether you are
eligible.
What is Offered?
Wisconsin Senior Employment Program participants receive an assessment
to determine individual needs for training, supportive services, and
potential for employment. Eligible participants are closely matched with
their personal goals and placed in a position in community service
(not-for-profit or government agencies) for approximately 20 hours per
week. Participants receive the Wisconsin minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Other job-related training may consist of upgrading existing skills,
developing new skills, limited educational opportunities, job counseling
and assistance in finding and keeping a job.
To gain work experience, Wisconsin Senior Employment Program
participants are often placed in schools, hospitals, senior centers,
nutrition programs, conservation programs, day care centers, and many
other sites. These sites translate into positions such as nurse and
teacher's aides, library clerks, clerical workers, adult and child day
care assistants, campground recreational coordinators, maintenance
workers, and many more occupations.
How Do I Apply?
To determine whether you are eligible for the Wisconsin Senior Employment
Program (WISE), call
the agency in your county and ask to speak with the "WISE Program Coordinator," who will do a brief "Question and Answer"
evaluation over the phone to determine whether you qualify. Here is a list of WISE
Employment Agencies by County.For more information about jobs
opportunities, contact the Wisconsin Job
Center.
Last Revised:
February 28, 2013 |
