Organization Name: Employ Milwaukee
Executive Leader/Title: Julie Cayo, President & CEO
Website & Social Media Links:
Website:
www.employmilwaukee.org
LinkedIn:
Employ Milwaukee
Facebook:
Employ Milwaukee
Instagram:
@employmilwaukee
X (Twitter):
@EmployMilwaukee
TikTok:
@employmilwaukee
About Your OrganizationEmploy Milwaukee is the local workforce development board serving Milwaukee County. By convening leaders from business and industry, economic and workforce development, education and training as well as community partners and policy makers, our vision is to develop workforce solutions that promote regional economic growth and employment opportunities for all job seekers.
Our mission is to build a strong workforce development system by planning, coordinating, collaborating and monitoring workforce initiatives with businesses, partners and community stakeholders at the local, regional and state level to ensure a skilled and productive workforce for the 21st Century.
Our goals are to connect job seekers to employment opportunities, to provide education and training options in high-growth, high-demand sectors, and to provide a skilled and sustainable workforce to attract, retain and grow diverse businesses in our Milwaukee 7 region.
Key Services and Programs
Employ Milwaukee uses a sector-based workforce strategy to connect both the demand (employer-identified need for skilled labor) and the supply (individuals with varying levels of education, skills, and barriers to employment who desire stable and well-paid employment) sides of the workforce equation. This business-led model identifies and connects employers’ real-time hiring needs with effective programs and services to screen, match, and secure workers for those positions.
Employ Milwaukee offers 20+ programs for adults and youth serving over 11,000 job seekers annually. Recognizing the importance of aligning training with labor market demand, Employ Milwaukee leads sector partnerships in high-growth industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and information technology that lead to industry-recognized credentials and meaningful work experience. Employ Milwaukee operates several youth programs designed to engage, educate and employ young people ages 10-24 including Camp RISE, Earn & Learn and Growth Opportunities MKE.
Beyond serving individuals, 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.
Success StoryEmploy Milwaukee’s Business Solutions team collaborates with local businesses to provide On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities that support both employers and employees. Through OJT, businesses receive up to 75% wage reimbursement for eligible participants during training, easing financial burdens while helping workers develop essential skills. “OJT is a win-win for both businesses and job seekers,” says Jeffrey McAlister, Business Solutions Manager at Employ Milwaukee. “Employers receive financial support to develop their workforce, while participants gain hands-on experience that builds a strong foundation for long-term success.”
Emem Group, a Milwaukee-based real estate firm dedicated to building affordable rental units and homes, has partnered with Employ Milwaukee to utilize OJT services, successfully hiring three participants, two of whom, Demetrius and Rodney, are actively completing their training.
Demetrius, new to construction, is gaining hands-on experience as a Construction Laborer, learning job site safety, blueprint reading, and material handling. Rodney, an experienced carpenter and general contractor, is stepping into the role of Construction Superintendent. His OJT is allowing him to refine his leadership skills, manage complex projects, and oversee quality control. His training is particularly valuable as he serves as the Project Superintendent for Emem Group’s Midtown Duplexes project, a development of 20 affordable homes that will transition to tenant ownership after 15 years.
“Employ Milwaukee OJT funds allowed us to obtain a skilled carpenter and train him to manage a large, logistically complicated project in the heart of the city,” said Michael Emem, President & CEO of Emem Group. “We’re excited to help him grow his skill set so he can lead even larger projects and continue building our community. I would highly recommend employers utilize Employ Milwaukee’s programs!”
This partnership demonstrates the real-world impact of OJT, helping businesses build a skilled workforce while giving participants the experience needed to grow in their careers. Employ Milwaukee remains committed to connecting employers with skilled talent and promoting long-term career growth.
MUS Membership & CollaborationEmploy Milwaukee applies promising and evidence-based strategies for workforce development that are industry-driven and thrive on collaboration. MUS offers Employ Milwaukee an opportunity learn from, share with and build relationships with workforce development boards that are developing and implementing innovative solutions for workforce challenges.
How has being a part of MUS benefited your organization so far?MUS has been a helpful resource and voice for advocating for workforce development on a regional and national level.
Are there any partnerships or collaborations that have grown from your MUS membership?Through MUS membership, Employ Milwaukee had the opportunity to serve as the host site for the 2025 Annual Convening,
Milwaukee Forward – Cream City Rising, which showcased the power of collaboration across workforce systems. The event brought national leaders to Milwaukee to experience Employ Milwaukee’s sector partnerships in action—spanning reentry, youth programming, and industry-led strategies in healthcare, construction, and technology.
Together with MUS, Employ Milwaukee convened sessions that elevated the region’s innovation, strengthened partnerships with employers and community organizations, and deepened cross-sector collaboration across the Midwest. The convening not only amplified Employ Milwaukee’s leadership in workforce innovation but also forged new connections that continue to shape regional strategies and national dialogue around equitable workforce development.
Fun FactThe Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB) was established in 2007 when the Private Industry Council (PIC) of Milwaukee County—the agency that had previously served as the federally funded workforce development agency for Milwaukee County since the 1980s—was renamed and oversight was transferred from Milwaukee County to the City of Milwaukee. In 2014, a new President/CEO was appointed who, together with the Board of Directors, initiated a strategic transformation that resulted in a demand-driven workforce development board rebranded as Employ Milwaukee in 2016.