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WDBSCW logo in gold

Over the past 40 years, the Workforce Development Board has guided the investments and services within the the public workforce system of South Central Wisconsin. What started as a Private Industry Council in Dane County, the Workforce Development Board has grown to include six counties of Wisconsin including Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Marquette and Sauk. Since 1983, the WDBSCW has administered numerous federal, state and local grant programs aimed at helping more than 24,000 workers and 14,500 members of business and industry thrive.

WDBSCW at 40

Thank you to all the incredible guests who joined us for our 40th Anniversary Celebration. We're honored and humbled by your support and partnership with us over the years. Together, we're empowering our workforce and industry for a brighter future. Check out exclusives from the event as well as bonus stories and photos from the day and through the decades.

Well-wishes from partners for our 40th Anniversary!

WDBSCW at 40 | Exclusive Interviews

History of the WDBSCW

The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin formed in 1983 after the Private Industry Council (PIC) of Dane County -- the agency that had previously served as the federal-funded workforce development entity for Dane county -- joined with neighboring PICs and rebranded as a workforce development board under the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982.

Today, after legislative reauthorizations, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) serves the federal legislation guiding our charge. Our role is to convene leaders from business and industry, economic and workforce development, education and community to serve the south-central region with transformative and strategic workforce solutions for job seekers and industry.

The counties WDBSCW serves - Columbia, Jefferson, Dane, Sauk, Dodge and Marquette