National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) - WIA 167
UMOS continues to operate the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), WIA-167, providing a variety of services to farm workers and their families throughout Wisconsin and Missouri. The program’s purpose is to help families improve their economic wellbeing, education, health, and housing situations so they may better realize their potential. From 2010-2011, UMOS assisted 125 migrant and 70 seasonal workers in Wisconsin. In Missouri UMOS assisted 609 migrant and seasonal farm workers.
UMOS works with 250 employers statewide to place program participants seeking more stable work situations, and collaborates with 35 schools and other educational institutions to provide ABE, GED preparation, ESL and other educational instruction and training.
UMOS helped workers to find employment in numerous fields, including welding, health services (e.g., CNA), construction, truck driving, clerical services, and plant supervision. The average annual income was $10,269 for these positions, many of which are not full-time or year-round.
In addition to assisting farmworkers find stable employment, UMOS also helps those who frequently need help to cover basic necessities in order to maintain their families during interim periods prior to being hired, or during work delays, or between seasonal farm work. In the past year, UMOS assisted 2,078 people in Wisconsin with Comprehensive Crisis Relief funding to aid with the purchase of food, gas, lodging, car repairs and other emergency services.
In 2010 UMOS opened an office in Racine, Wisconsin to serve the farm worker population in the southeast region of the state. The office sees about 30 individuals/families each month who are seeking employment and/or support services. This number continues to grow as the immigrant community continues to grow and the Racine community becomes familiar with UMOS and all it has to offer.
For more information on UMOS farmworker employment and training programs call 414-389-6600.
