At the meeting of the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Advisory Council on Thursday, Gov. Jim Doyle announced plans for a new $5.89 million work force training program designed to help workers prepare for the nation’s economic future.

The Wisconsin Sector Strategies Initiative will be funded by nearly $3 million in federal funds over the next two years and $490,000 in grants over the next few months, according to a statement from the governor.

Milwaukee 7 is comprised of many prominent Wisconsin business leaders and government officials from the seven counties in the Milwaukee area.

Industry-specific partnerships, formed by leaders in those counties encompassed by Milwaukee 7, can seek grants that will leverage additional resources and fund the training of in-demand workers. The sector strategies training will complement a range of additional workforce investments funded with federal discretionary resources Wisconsin receives as part of its federal Workforce Investment Act allocation, the statement said.

Doyle also proposed funding for various programs, such as $1.5 million to help low-wage workers with no education or training beyond high school and $300,000 to help high school dropouts finish their education while training for jobs.

According to the statement, Milwaukee 7 will receive a $500,000 grant to support its regional branding and promotional efforts. Beginning in 2010, Milwaukee 7 will be eligible for up to $100,000 per year for five years to attract new businesses, create high-paying jobs and increase economic activity in their regions.

Assembly Majority Leader, Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, believes the measure will help increase job creation throughout the state.

“I see this as another important step in the right direction,” Nelson said.

Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, said workforce training is a good idea but is skeptical of Doyle’s plan because funding will not be distributed throughout the state.

“The governor’s budget focuses on Milwaukee, and most of his initiatives now focus on Milwaukee,” Suder said. “We’re frankly tired of him dedicating all our resources toward one section of the state.”

Suder added a lot of manufacturing job loss has occurred in the northern section of the state, notably the paper mill industry, and he hopes some of the money will go towards helping regain those jobs.

Kimber Liedl, spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, agreed this training is important for the state but said there may not be jobs for these workers because of measures implemented by Doyle.

“[Sen. Fitzgerald] agrees with increasing funding for worker training. … What he doesn’t agree with, though, is some of the governor’s other decisions, such as implementing combined reporting in his budget repair bill,” Liedl said.

Liedl said because combined reporting will cost many companies hundreds of millions of dollars, the companies will not be able to offer as many jobs and will have to cut more positions.

Doyle’s office declined to comment on the initiative.