What is RISE?

RISE is a joint initiative of the Wisconsin Technical College System and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and funded in part through a “Shifting Gears” grant from the Joyce Foundation.

Draws on local, state and national expertise to make "career pathways" a central part of Wisconsin's education and job training systems.
Engages the business community at both the state and regional levels to address the skill needs of major industry sectors.

For an Overview of the RISE Initiative

Check out the ABCs of RISE PowerPoint.
Read the Wisconsin RISE Guidelines, updated March 16, 2011 to understand through short definitions and more detailed operational descriptions Wisconsin's model for career pathways and bridges.
RISE Logic Model
Theory of Change

RISE proposes an intensive process of policy innovation

To develop and refine prototype career pathway models and industry-driven pathway training curricula.
To realign state-level program and policy to support career pathways in Wisconsin.
To implement career pathways in regions throughout the state.

And a new structure of regional opportunity

For workers: higher skills, better jobs a more accessible and navigable training and career advancement system.
For employers: a reliable supply of workers whose skills are geared to industry needs.
For workforce training and education programs: more effective engagement with industry and more efficient targeting of resources.

Partners

Wisconsin Technical College System: www.wtcsystem.org
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: dwd.wisconsin.gov
Wisconsin Association of Job Training Executives
Center on Wisconsin Strategy: www.cows.org
The Joyce Foundation: www.joycefdn.org