Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the opening of the second round of Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity initiative with up to $3 million for innovative high school pupil worker training grants.

DWD’s Office of Skills Development (OSD) seeks applications from Wisconsin businesses for employer-driven workforce programs in collaboration with school districts, educational partners and/or technical colleges to train and hire high school students. Grant Program Announcement (GPA) highlights follow:

• Range of potential grant awards: $5,000 to $150,000 per grantee
• Grant amount match requirement through funds or in-kind sources: 50 percent
• Grant application deadline: February 2, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.

Examples of high school pupil training program partnerships include work-based learning, apprenticeship preparation and dual credit models. Successful projects ensure that graduates receive industry-recognized certifications from 2013 Wisconsin Act 59 approved list and obtain employment in documented high-demand fields.

Learn more.

Businesses of all sizes and all industries that are active in exporting are invited to nominate themselves for the 2015 Governor’s Export Achievement Awards, which recognize companies that have achieved extraordinary results in international markets.  The awards program has been revamped this year and is easier to enter than ever before. All companies need to do get started is visit inwisconsin.com/exportawards and describe—in 250 words or less—their recent exporting accomplishments.

But hurry, the deadline for the initial submission is 5 p.m. Jan. 30. Learn more.

Madworks is a seed accelerator operating in Madison, Wisconsin that provides grants, mentors, lean start-up, structure, access to next round finance, and much, much more to selected early stage companies.

The mission of Madworks is to help you succeed. Do your potential customers believe your idea is good and solves a real problem? Do they want it and will they pay for it? Following lean startup methodology, startups are encouraged to “build, measure, learn” as quickly as possible. We look for the best people that have the ability to turn ideas into companies. We’ll provide you with capital, office space and surround you with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, industry experts, service providers and anyone else you need to get off the ground and grow. This happens during a high-energy 10-week program.

Madworks accepts early stage companies created by UW Madison faculty, staff, alumni and students as well as early stage companies from the greater Madison community.

Learn more and apply by January 22, 2015.

Food Export Midwest will provide Food Show PLUS!™ services at the SIAL China trade show, the largest and fastest growing food show in China taking place May 6-8, 2015.

Develop business with buyers and decision-makers for both retail and food service in the top U.S. export market. With 99 U.S. companies, the USDA-endorsed USA Pavilion at SIAL China 2014 was the largest USA pavilion on record in China. In 2013, U.S. exports of consumer oriented food products to China increased 15% and totaled a new record high of over US$3 billion.

SERVICES MAY INCLUDE:

• Introductions with qualified buyers
• Pre-show custom product research summary
• Market briefing by local USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service
• Interpreter at the exhibitor’s booth during show hours
• Translate up to two pages of exhibitor material into Chinese
• On-site show assistance by Food Export’s In-Market Representative

PRODUCTS IN DEMAND: Bakery products, Canned and preserved products, Confectionery, Cured meats, Dairy products, Dried fruits, Eggs, Gourmet foods, Healthy products, Food ingredients, Fresh fruit and vegetables, Fresh meat and offal, Fresh poultry and game, Fresh and semi-preserved fish, mollusks and shellfish, Frozen foods, Ready-to-eat products.

Learn more about the SIAL China trade show and Food Show PLUS! and contact DATCP’s Lisa Stout at 608.224.5126 with any questions.

Register by February 10. Early registration rates available until January 13.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), the annual Manufacturing Matters! conference focuses on delivering unmatched opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration.

“The Changing Landscape of Manufacturing” is the theme for this year’s conference and features national, regional, and local manufacturing industry experts such as Mike Laszkiewicz, Vice President & General Manager, Power Control Business Rockwell Automation; U.S. Department of Commerce Chief Economist Susan Helper; U.S. Manufacturing “Czar” Mike Molnar from the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and more than 30 other presenters on a wide range of topics that paint a picture of significant changes and innovations that are forever changing the landscape of manufacturing in Wisconsin and beyond.

Learn more and register.