WCMA Invites Dairy Processors to Join in Identifying Policy Solutions to Workforce Barriers

Dairy processing professionals are invited to connect with their peers, share their thoughts on the industry’s current labor challenges, and develop actionable solutions at the September 12 hybrid meeting of Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) Workforce & Education Committee. Registration for the meeting is open to all interested members of industry now at WisCheeseMakers.org/Events. 

"Hearing directly from WCMA members about the workforce challenges they face each day is critical to crafting meaningful advocacy strategies and useful tools,” said WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney. “We look forward to a day of insightful discussion in September – and, all are welcome!” 

After on-site registration at 10:45 a.m. (CT) at the corporate headquarters of WCMA member Novonesis (9015 W. Maple St., West Allis, WI 53214), in-person attendees will enjoy a tour and human resources-focused discussion with company leaders at 11:15 a.m., followed by a networking lunch at 12 noon. 

Beginning at 12:30 p.m. (CT), both in-person and online attendees will engage in informative mini-presentations on the national and statewide labor outlook, as well as barriers to employment, including childcare and housing access and affordability, immigration restrictions, and workforce training challenges, before breaking into small groups to identify policy changes and new industry tools needed now. 

Our panel of issue experts will include newly-named Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Secretary-designee Jeff Pertl and Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority Community & Economic Development Officer Rebecca Giroux. A detailed agenda for the day is available at WisCheeseMakers.org/Events. 

This full day of networking and discussion costs just $20 for in-person attendees and is free for virtual participants, thanks to generous, exclusive sponsorship by Novonesis.

Questions can be directed to WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney at rsweeney@wischeesemakers.org.