NEWS

The Department of Workforce Services and the Department of Corrections offer "Heavy Equipment" Training for Women Inmates

LUSK - The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services is teaming up with the Department Corrections to offer heavy equipment training to inmates at the Wyoming Women's Center in Lusk. This is the first time the Department of Workforce Services has partnered with another state agency for the purpose of creating a specific job skills training program.

Joan Evans, Director for the Department of Workforce Services, said this first of its kind program will provide job training for an overlooked segment of our population.

She said, "Working with the Department of Corrections gives us a chance to tap into a workforce pool (of people) that's been overlooked in the past," she said. Evans continued, "We need to provide them with the upgraded skills so when they are ready to come back into employment they could be productive workers in our Wyoming economy."

The McMurray Training Center in Casper is also a partner in the program. McMurray is providing the training instructors and the equipment for the five-week program which begins today at the Women's Center in Lusk. The Department of Workforce Services is funding the program.

Jeff White is Employment and Training for Self-Sufficiency Program Manager for the Department of Workforce Services. He said when these women are released from incarceration, they will take with them skills for high-demand, high-wage occupations. "When they are released and get placed, they will be earning very competitive wages, and the whole goal is for them to establish a better life, a new life, and I think we'll be helping them do that," said White.

All the women taking part in the training program are mothers, and all will be eligible for release from the Women's Center within six weeks of completing the training.

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