OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) During a stop in Oshkosh this afternoon, Governor Walker signed the Wisconsin Fast Forward legislation into law.  It's a measure the Governor says will help close the skills gap and provide critical training to help put more Wisconsinites to work.

The legislation is part of Walker's $100 million workforce agenda.  It received bipartisan support, and passed the assembly two weeks ago and passed unanimously in the senate last week.  Two republican state senators from our area supported and co-authored the legislation, including Senators Rick Gudex and Rob Cowles. 

The goal of Wisconsin Fast Forward is to help the state identify emerging industry needs.  The Governor used welding as an example, saying there are jobs out there in that field but not enough skilled workers to fill them.  Walker says the program will help move Wisconsin's economy forward.  $15 million in state-funded grants will help train new and existing workers.

"In so many different areas, like healthcare and IT, and especially in manufacturing, there are careers out there.  But it's not enough to have a strong back and an alarm clock to get a job in manufacturing anymore.  You have to have a skill set that goes beyond just high school," said Walker.

Senator Gudex tells us the Fast Forward grants will go into effect in September.  The legislation was signed at Jay Manufacturing in Oshkosh.  We'll hear from owners about the potential impact to their business tonight at ten on Local 5 News.