WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Job Center will close at the end of 2025.
According to a Nov. 14 release from Advance Wisconsin Development, formerly the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, the organization decided to close the Wisconsin Rapids site at 320 W. Grand Ave. after reviewing the facility’s use, trends and long-term plans with other state and local workforce partners.
Brian Kalish, the executive director of Advance Wisconsin Employment, said the group is realigning resources to better serve customers where they use them. In the release, Kalish said Job Center partners are working with other community agencies to continue providing services to job seekers locally.
“These collaborations aim to ensure that residents can still access high-quality career assistance, training opportunities and support services within their community,” the release said. “We look forward to announcing new in-person locations for job services in the near future.”
People needing help with job searches, resumes, workshops, training, unemployment insurance navigation, employer services and other assistance can still access resources.
What is the closure plan?
The Wisconsin Rapids Job Center will still operate through Dec. 31, 2025, although services may be limited closer to the end of the year.
According to the release, the Wisconsin Rapids Job Center will provide normal services through Dec. 15. During this time, staff will help customers transition scheduled appointments to virtual appointments or relocate them to other locations.
Limited move-out activities may happen between Dec. 16-31, according to the release. The Wisconsin Rapids Job Center will provide its last day for in-person services Dec. 31, 2025.
Where can people find help?
Starting Jan. 2, 2026, people can find help and resources online, by phone and at other in-person job center locations, according to the release.
Haley McCoy, a communications director with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, told a Daily Tribune reporter the DWD will continue to provide employment services and vocational rehabilitation services at 320 W. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids until it can find an alternative space. McCoy said the organization had been looking for a new location for several years because the space on West Grand Avenue is bigger than the organization needs. McCoy said DWD will continue to operate at the West Grand Avenue location on a month-to-month lease while it explores alternatives.
The Marathon County Job Center will continue to operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 731 N. First St., Suite 4000, in Wausau. The job center can be reached at 715-261-8700.
The Marshfield Access Point for Job Services will continue to operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at 1519 Central Ave. in Marshfield. The center can be reached at 715-321-1011.
According to the Wisconsin Job Center website, job search tools are available at public libraries through a partnership with the Department of Workforce Development, both online and in person.
Employer services will continue without interruption, offering recruitment assistance, help with posting job openings, hiring events, customized training and more.
For a list of workforce events, digital resources, training, veteran service and more information, visit jobcenterofwisconsin.com. For additional help with services, email JobCenterofWisconsin@dwd.wisconsin.gov.
Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: The Wisconsin Rapids Job Center is set to close. Where can job seekers find help?
Reporting by Caitlin Shuda, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune / Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
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