Build your workforce from the pool of talented, well-educated employees available in MGE's service area. Experience a work ethic that is second-to-none and productivity that consistently exceeds the national average.

• Madison is the 4th brainiest mid-size city in the nation. bizjournals.com, 2006
• Wisconsin's new Emerging Industries Skills Partnership [PDF - 37 KB] offers $850,000 in grants to help businesses, associations and technical colleges train workers in fields like biotechnology, manufacturing and stem cell research.
• About 1,900 students are expected to participate in Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship in 2006-07. This effort helps train today's youth for the jobs of tomorrow.

Workforce information

• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (WDWD) provides market information wage and hour labor standards, unemployment rates, labor force estimates, links to job centers and much more.
• WorkNet, WDWD's Workforce and Labor Market Information System, offers detailed, up-to-date statistics, Employer Search and other features.
• Visit the section of WDWD's Web site which provides gateways to current employment and wage data and projections.

Workers' compensation

• Since 1993, Wisconsin's workers' compensation rates have declined by 30%.
• Average in manufacturing: $4.43/$100
• Compare [PDF - 112 KB] workers' compensation costs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan.

Demographics
U.S. Census statistics by county

Access the latest demographic statistics - population, age, income, etc. - for counties in MGE's service area through these online links to the U.S. Department of the Census:

• Columbia County
• Crawford County
• Dane County - Madison
• Iowa County
• Juneau County
• Monroe County
• Vernon County

Education and training
Top-notch schools and training = a sterling workforce

• Wisconsin's educational system ranks among the top in the nation. From elementary schools to post-graduate programs, Wisconsin students are prepared to excel in your workplace.
• About 41% of adults in Madison have college degrees, which is twice the national average.
• Madison ranks sixth nationally for its percentage of high school graduates (92.2%). Area Development, 2004.

Learn about area colleges and universities on our Education Web page.

• UW Office of Corporate Relations which helps businesses access university resources, including executive and continuing education opportunities.
• UW-Madison Small Business Development Center which provides programs, counseling and education to help small business owners grow.

For additional public, private and nonprofit business resources and programs, please visit our Business Resources Web page.

Great place to work and live
Wisconsin is nationally recognized as a great place to work and live. To learn more, visit our Quality of Life Web page.