Return to: Meeting Minutes
July 13, 1999
Call to Order: Chairman John Norris called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
In Attendance:
Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of June 8, 1999 were approved upon motion by Dennis A. seconded by John S. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of July 6, 1999 were received.
Allied Health Career Committee Report and Discussion: Dennis A. and Ken R reported on most recent meeting of Partnership representatives and Health Care Professionals that centered on addressing question of "What are workforce needs?" He elaborated on content of last meeting and noted that the group will meet for a third time on Wednesday, July 14, 1999.
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services Feedback: Bonny S. led discussion centered on an effort to gain feedback in order to improve services. Information was gathered via a single question listed on a handout entitled, "If someone asked you to tell them about the Workforce Center, what would you say?"
Next oral responses were requested to a series of questions to employer’s present and supporting customers. For example employers responded to the question, "How have your needs, as an employer changed over the last five years?" Responses were: Unemployment is lower, Workers need more technical skills, More competition for getting and retaining employees, Workers want more flexible working hours and because of competition employers more tolerant, Pressure for productivity improvements, Consider daycare costs, Housing more of a problem, Language barriers, Housing more of a problem, See a need for less workers, but workers need to be more skilled and willing to be responsible for a number of different jobs.
When asked about the reputation of the Workforce Center employers stated they have a better reputation than a few years ago. The quality of candidates coming through seems to be better. Another said reputation is mixed and that many employers don’t know about the new things at the Workforce Center. The value of the Workforce Center to employers is the potential source of employees and the wage surveys.
It was mentioned that training needs are not being met. Identified legal and compliance issues as one potential training topic. Also questioned what training is effective. Examples were given of approaches to training from other states, namely, South Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin.
Responses from supporting customers centered on barriers to readiness to work and accessing employment and training programs. A consensus response was that people bring an array of life problems with them, not pinpointed to academics, for example. Transportation, housing and childcare were identified as barriers and access is very difficult for CIF type of employee candidates.
Web Site Discussion: John N. and Ray H. presented cost information they had gathered. However, major discussion focused on purpose and effectiveness of Web Site. Numerous suggestions were made for proceeding. They included: looking at the decision incrementally, determining purpose and content, asking questions about value and figuring out what is useful is very important and very challenging.
Bill L. reported on findings Minnesota Technology determined after studying 30 companies with Web Sites. Major findings were that if Web Site was not successful the companies had "Failed to define the purpose of the Web Site" and "Wrong people were running it, computer people instead of main users in the companies, sales and marketing staff."
Potential purposes and approaches were suggested: To serve as a clearinghouse and cross reference and link relative information, To begin by handling routine paperwork of partnership (agendas, minutes, etc.) and expand from that base and To examine qualified/quality Web Sites with Jean Anderson of Isanti County Extension as a resource. Discussion concluded with establishment of committee to identify target group with a reminder to keep it simple. Marty H., Ted D., Nancy H. and Ray H. were appointed to the committee.
Review Partnership Accomplishments and Consider Possible Projects for 1999-00: One page documents listing accomplishments and the group reviewed possible projects. Following considerable discussion four areas were identified as targets for the upcoming year. The first being to concentrate on helping Allied Health Career area with identifying and taking action on workforce needs, to revisit and revitalize manufacturing group and involve group presently working with Retail Standards. The second area was to continue School-To-Work efforts and grant management. Third, the group decided to focus on training. The goal would be to leverage grants and in general to bring various partnership resources to bear on this issue, whether it is in the form of SWAT team or a Training Strike Force. The goal is to identify a workforce problem area and then jointly work at solving the problem and accomplishing the mission to meet the workforce needs identified. The fourth target centered on promotion and communication of partnership efforts and goals. The development of a Web Site might be a part of this effort. John N. concluded the discussion by summarizing the above, asking questions about the feasibility of establishing sub-groups and remanding refinement of the projects to the Executive Committee.
Executive Committee Report: John N. reviewed the minutes of the July 6, 1999 Executive Committee meeting and elaborated on several items, including receipt of 501©(3) status.
Information Sharing and Other Reports:
Marty H. reminded the planning group members for the annual regional employer conference to stay for a meeting following the partnership meeting.
Dennis A. told of and distributed a brochure on the CISCO Certified Network Associate Training Program being offered by Cambridge Community College.
Nancy H. distributed the East Central Minnesota Business Assistance Directory. Discussion occurred during the Web Site dialog.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes by Ray Hoheisel