April 10, 2001
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, Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Kathi Schaff, Cambridge Chamber, Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Ryan Jacobson, Industries, Inc., Natalie Kuehl, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Heather Richards, Northern Solutions Inc., Gary Campbell, Minnesota Technology and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.
Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of March 13, 2001 were approved upon motion by Ginger G. seconded by John S. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of April 3, 2001 were received.
Labor Market and Trends Presentation: Terry D. introduced Michelle Ostrom, Labor Market Analyst from the Department of Economic Security. Michelle reported on labor market trends, forecasts and a just released 2001 Central WSA Job Vacancy Survey that had been commissioned by Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services. The statistics presented and those included in the survey report included the 11 counties served by Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services.
Michelle's presentation was filled with information. Some of the points she made follow. Professional workers account for about one fourth of the jobs in our area. Agriculture leads the employment decline category. Twenty per cent of jobs in the region require only on the job training. Unemployment rate is highest for those with least education and training. Highest job openings are in technology and health care. The skills needed to do the jobs in these industries are changing rapidly and require continuous learning. Service producing industries lead employment growth, while goods producing industries are holding steady. Goods producing industries need to adopt new technology to remain competitive in the market place. Those who do not adapt will decline and will not be able to compete in the long term.
Predicting needs in the labor force through 2008; she summarized and said that jobs requiring more education are growing faster. The leading job producers will be technology and health care. Most job growth in our area will be service related and require only work experience or on the job training. The labor force is growing, but will grow at a slightly slower rate and the majority of workforce members will be older as baby boomers age. The area will become more diverse as minority groups increase.
From the recently completed study she pointed out that the vacancy rate for jobs in central Minnesota is 3%, while the state average is 5%. Pine, Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties have some of the highest unemployment rates in the state. She also reported that her office is conducting a follow-up telephone survey that will provide labor force data for the 5 counties served by the Partnership. The purpose of the survey is to compare skills of householders contacted by telephone to job demand in the area. Reports will be generated for Chisago and Isanti Counties (1 report) and for Pine, Kanabec and Mille Lacs Counties. The follow-up report should be completed by November 30, 2001.
Following her report and questions, Chair John N. thanked Michelle for an excellent and very informative presentation. Also, handouts of a presentation given by Barbara J. Ronningen from State Demographic Center of Minnesota Planning at a Central Initiative Foundation workshop held in Mora were distributed. Highlights of the presentation, Demographic Trends in Minnesota were pointed out by members who attended the workshop.
Allied Health Committee: Ken R. reported that allied health committee or providers have not met since legislative meeting. Cathy L-Z. reported that first two leadership training sessions sponsored by Jobs Skills Partnership grant are underway and being hosted by Elim Home and Cambridge Nursing Care Center. Early reports from participants have been very positive.
Retail Committee: Nancy M. reported that 24 Pine City students have registered for the retail associate training class being offered by three Pine City businesses. The class will begin on April 17, with the final session concluding on April 26. Dick Y. said that registration is underway for a similar class offered by Cambridge businesses under the leadership of Skip Strandberg.
Employer Conference: Marty H., Terry D., Cathy L-Z., Ginger G. and John N. gave an update on the Employer Conference. Eighty-five people have registered. Members were asked to take brochures and encourage colleagues to attend, as plenty of spots are open. Students from Isle will serve as guides and will introduce small group speakers. They have been briefed on their role. Conference specifics and details are set. Changes in posting directional signs, parking and serving lunch should address issues identified as problems experienced last year.
Also discussed was marketing the Partnership at the conference. The new Partnership brochures were distributed and it was decided to form a welcoming committee at the conference. Ginger G., John N. and Kathi S. volunteered to be the welcoming committee. They will distribute the brochure, membership criteria and a fish coloring book that goes along with the theme of the conference.
Employability Skills Certificate Development at May Meeting: John N. reported on discussion from Executive Committee meeting and the recommendation that the May meeting be devoted to this subject. He outlined the format of the meeting as a discussion between alternative and adult learning staff representatives and employers as to the needs of businesses for workers who possess appropriate "soft or employability" skills. Considerable time was spent on discussing this issue and attempting to determine the exact purpose of the meeting. It was recommended that the Executive Committee very carefully plan and lead discussion so the meeting time is well spent. A concern was raised about reinventing the wheel, regarding validating listings of employability skills. It was concluded that the intent was not to duplicate efforts or validate skills, but to assist alternative and adult basic educators in developing credible measuring standards for the quite standard and nationally recognized list of employability skills. The end product would be an employability skills certificate students could use to show prospective employers that they possess skills.
John N. will explain project and the need for input from regional employers at the Employer Conference. Interest sign-up cards will be distributed at the conference. Some of those expressing interest in helping will be invited to the next Partnership meeting. Others will be invited to meet with alternative and adult basic educators at a June workshop.
Focus on Training: Members were informed that pilot training is on hold as instructor is out of state. The direction of this effort was thoroughly discussed by the Executive Committee, but because of lack of time at this meeting, the topic will be addressed at another meeting.
School-To-Work Report: Ray H. told members that the Supplementary School-To-Work grant has been submitted, but not yet approved by the state. He briefly described the contents of the grant. It would assist with development of a retail associate training guide and video, development of employability skills standard certificates by alternative and adult basic education staff and assist ALC/ALP and Adult Basic programs to make electronic career planning and information systems available for their students. He also mentioned he would be working on quarterly and end of year School-To-Work narrative and financial reports due on April 15.
Executive Committee Report: Items covered during course of meeting.
Adjournment: Chairman John N. adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes by Ray H.