SUPERIOR (WPR) Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development officials are hoping a new federal jobs bill includes money to re-train unemployed people.   Re-training money has run out in Wisconsin and waiting lists are growing.

350 unemployed people in northwestern Wisconsin are getting re-trained with money from the state and last year's federal job stimulus bill.   On the flip side, 300 people are on a waiting list to get the same help. 

Steve Terry is the director of the Northwest Concentrated Employment Program. He says learning new skills in new fields makes for a stronger workforce, but worker re-training money isn’t available now. Terry says it’s a time when more money is needed to re-train people and get them back in the job market.

State Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman hopes Stimulus II will include money to send jobless people to technical schools. She doesn’t anticipating as much money as last year, but any help Wisconsin gets will help the workforce.

While proposals are still being worked out, Congress is considering tax breaks for small businesses and energy efficiency, as well as money for building roads, bridges and sewers and to help pay for teachers' salaries. 

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Information from Wisconsin Public Radio, www.wpr.org