JX Enterprises hosted Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker as he signed Assembly Bill 450 – also known as Wisconsin Wins – into law this week. The governor was joined by state Rep. Mark Honadel, who helped author and spearhead the legislation through unanimous approval from both the House and Senate.
The new law allows Wisconsin residents who are receiving unemployment benefits to take part-time training jobs with employers potentially looking for full-time employment. JXE plans to be among the first Wisconsin companies to participate in the program.
“This legislation will help place job seekers directly into the workplace for on-the-job training,” says Walker. “It is fitting that we’re signing the law at a company that would be able to utilize this kind of program.”
JX Peterbilt has been communicating for several months with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to discuss implementing the new employment training options that will be made available through the new law. Georgia Maxwell, the department’s executive assistant, also was in attendance.
The bill was signed at the JX Peterbilt-Milwaukee dealership in Oak Creek, Wis., in the district represented by Honadel. JXE was represented by dozens of associates from several branches. Eric Jorgensen, JXE’s president and chief executive officer, led the introductions and explained why Wisconsin Wins was important to the company.
“While the nation struggles with near-record unemployment and is looking for new ways to create jobs and get people back to work, Wisconsin is doing something about it,” Jorgensen says. “This innovative piece of legislation will make it easier than ever to bring employers and employees together, mitigating the risks and investment that can burden job growth. It’s an honor to not only host the signing of this bill, but to be active supporters of it from its inception and to be among the first companies that will participate in the program.”
JXE recently celebrated its 42nd anniversary and is a second-generation company. Its founder, Chuck Jorgensen, who is still active on the company’s board of directors, was in attendance, as well as Kurt Jorgensen, the company’s vice president of sales.
