Member Spotlight Article : Employ Milwaukee
Organization Name: Employ Milwaukee
Executive Leader/Title: Julie Cayo, President & CEO
Tell us about your organization’s mission and the communities you serve.
Employ Milwaukee is the local workforce development board serving Milwaukee County. By convening leaders from business and industry, economic and workforce development, education and training as well as community partners and policy makers, our vision is to develop workforce solutions that promote regional economic growth and employment opportunities for all job seekers.
Our mission is to build a strong workforce development system by planning, coordinating, collaborating and monitoring workforce initiatives with businesses, partners and community stakeholders at the local, regional and state level to ensure a skilled and productive workforce for the 21st Century.
Our goals are to connect job seekers to employment opportunities, to provide education and training options in high-growth, high-demand sectors, and to provide a skilled and sustainable workforce to attract, retain and grow diverse businesses in our Milwaukee 7 region.
Connecting Systems, Strengthening Communities in Milwaukee
Employ Milwaukee stands at the center of one of the most dynamic workforce ecosystems in the Midwest. As Milwaukee County’s local workforce development board, the organization brings together leaders from business, education, and community organizations to design and deliver solutions that drive regional economic growth and open doors to opportunity.
Led by President and CEO Julie Cayo, Employ Milwaukee builds bridges between employers seeking skilled talent and residents ready to work. Through collaboration with industry partners and community stakeholders, their mission is clear: to ensure a skilled and productive workforce for the 21st century. With over 20 programs serving more than 11,000 job seekers each year, Employ Milwaukee connects youth and adults to education, training, and career pathways in high-demand industries like healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and information technology.
That commitment to connection is at the heart of their work. Employ Milwaukee’s Business Solutions team helps employers build talent pipelines through customized services such as job readiness training, pre-screening, On-the-Job Training (OJT), and retention support. One success story comes from a partnership with Emem Group, a Milwaukee-based real estate firm developing affordable rental homes. Through Employ Milwaukee’s OJT program, Emem Group hired and trained participants like Demetrius, who is learning construction fundamentals, and Rodney, who stepped into a leadership role as Construction Superintendent. The collaboration proved to be a win for both employer and employee—combining skill development, wage support, and meaningful work that strengthens the community.
That same spirit of partnership was on full display during the Milwaukee Forward – Cream City Rising MUS Convening in June 2025. As host site, Employ Milwaukee welcomed workforce leaders from across the country to experience their sector-based strategies in action. Over three days, attendees saw firsthand how collaboration between public, private, and nonprofit sectors can create systems that truly work for people. From reentry services and youth programs to employer engagement and digital readiness, the convening highlighted Milwaukee’s innovation and its role as a model for regional transformation.
For Employ Milwaukee, MUS membership is about shared learning, collaboration, and impact that extends beyond county lines. Through partnerships forged within the network, they continue to strengthen their approach to workforce development and expand opportunities for employers and job seekers alike.
By connecting systems, aligning strategies, and uplifting communities, Employ Milwaukee continues to demonstrate what’s possible when collaboration drives the mission forward.
