Call to Order: Chairman John N. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.

In Attendance: Randy Zieske, Schlagel Inc., John Schlagel, Nick Waldoch, Braham School District #314, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Cathy Lund-Ziebarth, Cambridge Community College, Terry Dalbey, Mora/Cambridge Workforce Center, Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Kathy Burski, Lakes and Pines CAC, Inc./Mora Area Chamber, Lynne Osterman, Mfg. Technology of Minnesota and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of February 13, 2001 were approved upon motion by John S. seconded by Robert M. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of March 6, 2001 were received.

Make It in Manufacturing Presentation: Ginger G. gave background information on Manufacturing Technology in Minnesota, the Make It in Manufacturing effort and introduced, presenter, Lynne Osterman. Lynne said that in 1997 the legislature funded MNSCU with what are termed "key industry" grants. Precision manufacturing was one of the areas designated. After several false starts and numerous feedback sessions from manufacturers the grant effort was focused on this request, "Can you figure out how to get people to enroll in manufacturing courses?"

She explained the marketing program that has been developed and asked partnership members to help spread the word that many career opportunities are available in manufacturing. Posters and flyers were distributed and members were encouraged to distribute them at career fairs, meetings and when conducting business tours. She also mentioned of the availability of the "see through" radio powered car and box of car parts that can be checked out to schools and businesses. Their web site is www.ToMakeIt.org.

Allied Health Committee: Ken R. reported that allied health providers met with area legislators on February 23rd, three legislators and about 35 providers attended. The purpose of the meeting was to brief area legislators on the status of medical, long-term care, home and public health care in east central Minnesota. The primary focus was on workforce issues and the interrelationships within various parts of the system. Legislative proposals aimed as solutions to some of the problems facing the industry were shared with legislators.

During the report Pine Technical and Cambridge Community College told of the difficulty in finding clinical slots, which in turn affects the number of students that can be accepted in the training programs.

Cathy L-Z. reported that the first leadership training sessions will begin next week. Cambridge Health Care and Elim Home will host the first two sessions. Also, kick-off sessions have been held at Elim Home and Grandview and they went well. About 100 employees participated at each business.

Retail Committee: Ray H. said the Pine City retail sales associate planning group continues to meet and has assigned topics to be covered in each of the four two-hour sessions. They are meeting on March 14th to plan the actual lessons. Phase II of the retail standards grant training for evaluators was held on February 20-21, 2001. One follow-up session has also been held. Reports on the training were very positive. Businesses from Pine City and Cambridge are involved in the training. The evaluator training involves observing skills of targeted retail associates and comparing their skills to National Retail Skill Standards. Included in the process is a means of ascribing college credit for skills possessed.

Employer Conference: Employer Conference brochures were distributed. Partners complimented Marty H. and Terry Webster on quality of brochure. Marty H. and Terry D. led discussion on marketing the conference. They explained the register early card that was mailed to those who attended last year and told of the general mailing. Everyone concurred that most effective advertising about the conference is word of mouth. Partners then signed on to distribute materials to chambers and business groups in Mora, Princeton, Pine City, Cambridge, Braham and Isanti. Also, newspaper articles are ready to be sent in two separate mailings.

Training Pilot and Web Site: Roger Kollman is in various stages of setting up pilot classes at Glenn Metalcraft, Atscott Mfg. and Schlagel Inc. Ray H. spoke with him on 3-12-01 and encouraged proceeding with the classes. The working draft of the Training Section of Web Page was distributed and discussed, members made several suggestions. Ray H. will incorporate them in the draft and share with Don Lund, Webmaster.

School-To-Work Report: Ray H. shared recommendations of School-To-Work Coordinators, ALC/ALP and ABE Directors regarding the request for funding via the Supplementary School-To-Work grant. Funding will be requested for electronic access to career planning and exploration for eligible students, development and incorporation of industry skill standards in classrooms and a means to transport retail sales associate training for students who are seeking their first job. The class is taught by business representatives and is based on the National Retail Standards.

A sample copy of a skills certificate was distributed and discussed. Also discussed was the plan for the ALC/ALP and ABE Directors to develop in partnership with local businesses a skills certificate based on "soft" or employability skills. Marty H. suggested exploring ways to coordinate this effort with the Building Assets grant effort. Ray H. mentioned that an implementation grant for Braham was approved at the March 6, 2001 Executive Committee meeting.

Executive Committee Report: John N. informed the members that a presentation on the current state of the labor market will be presented at the April 10th meeting. Terry D. said Michelle Ostrom, Labor Market Analyst from the Department of Economic Security will give the majority of the presentation. He will assist and enlist other WorkForce Center staff to help with the presentation.

Adjournment: Chairman John N. adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m.

Minutes by Ray H.