March 6, 2001
Present
Randy Zieske, Schlagel, Inc., Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, Terry Dalbey, WorkForce Center Mora/Cambridge, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., John Schlagel, Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director, ECMWF Partnership.
Call to Order
Chair John N. called the meeting to order at 7:02 a.m.
Minutes
Minutes of the February 6, 2001 Executive Committee meeting were approved upon motion by Darwin B., seconded by Terry D. Motion carried.
Financial Report
A financial statement through February 28, 2001 was distributed. Treasurer Randy Z. reported a balance of $47,243.40. Interest earned was the only receipt.
Disbursement for February payment was for executive director. School-To-Work funds for Year IV including Year III carry-over were reported as $179,215.16 with $103,174.03 expended with a balance of $76,041.13. Upon motion by John S., seconded by Dick Y. the report was accepted and filed. Motion carried.
Web-Site Development
Ray H. reported that he and Don L. had discussed web site changes suggested by Partnership members at recent meetings. They discussed and reviewed the newly proposed training section for the page, development of a list serve, including membership guidelines on the page, advertising the Employer Conference and listing the brochure and redesign of the welcome page.
Allied Health Care
Dick Y. reported that a meeting with area legislators and region health care representatives from long-term care, medical centers and hospitals, public health and home health care met on February 23, 2000. Legislators Senator Twyla Ring and Representatives Rob Eastlund and Loren Jennings met with approximately 35 health care representatives from throughout east central Minnesota. After introductory remarks and an outline of the group's accomplishments to date, individual providers presented workforce information from their businesses. An open discussion and exchange between legislators and providers followed the presentation. Dick Y. and Ray H. shared topics discussed and state of workforce and other needs healthcare providers presented to legislators.
Retail Committee
Phase II of the retail standards grant is in full swing. Retailers from Cambridge and Pine City are involved in training so they can assess peers' performance in meeting National Retail Standards. A staff member from the National Retail Association led the training. Approximately 25 retailers received the training that will allow them to certify skills of persons employed as retailers. Results of assessment will allow for college credit for skills possessed or an opportunity for college classes to obtain skills for all who participate.
The Pine City retail group continues to meet. They are working on offering a class to Pine City students in April 2001. The most important standards for entry level workers have been identified. At the next meeting the group will place the standards into classes and begin developing the actual class lessons.
Employer Conference Update
Terry D. and Ginger G. reviewed near final draft of Employer Conference brochure. Marty H. had requested feedback. Several items were noted and members agreed to fax suggestions to Marty H. so brochures could be printed in time for distribution at Partnership meeting on March 13th. It was decided to develop a marketing plan for the Employer Conference on March 13th. Feedback as to logistic improvements at Izaty's was also given and will be shared with planning committee.
East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Brochure and Membership Criteria
The brochure and membership criteria are ready for printing and will be available for distribution at the Employer Conference. Ginger G. got printing prices and Joe H. made final changes and prepared disk-containing brochure.
School-To-Work
Ray H reported that Year V Grant has been approved for full funding. He also explained that state sustainability efforts have been set back due to failing health of one of the main leaders. No planning meetings have been scheduled.
The Supplemental School-To-Work grant was discussed. The board was informed that School-To-Work Coordinators, ALC/ALP Directors and ABE Directors are scheduled to meet on March 8 to decide how best to use funds considering grant guidelines. Primary focus will be on promoting and using national skill standards when designing classes and assisting alternative and adult basic students in accessing electronic career development programs. Upon motion by John S., seconded by Ginger G. approval was granted to submit Supplementary School-To-Work grant as proposed. Motion carried.
An implementation grant from Braham was reviewed and approved. Motion to approve was made by Darwin B., seconded by John S. Motion carried.
A sample skill certificate in Office Occupations from the North Country Vocational Cooperative Center was shared. Discussion ensued regarding credentials that verify student skills in important areas and the desire to explore and develop at least one for this region. It was noted that business and educator cooperation was essential to the successful development of anything meaningful.
Labor Market Analyst Presentation
Terry D. was asked to arrange for WorkForce Center staff to make a presentation at Partnership meeting regarding future labor market trends in state and east central Minnesota. It was decided that presentation should include future trends in non-skill, skill and college categories, workforce demand/supply and the outlook for different types of job categories. Presentation to be scheduled for April 2001.
Focus on Training Committee Report
In a pilot study update Ginger G. and John N. said Roger Kollman had been in contact with them. Interested staff members have been identified at Glenn Metalcraft and Atscott. Preliminary assessments are ready at Glenn Metalcraft. Staff at Schlagel has signed up to participate in the pilot. Ray H. will continue communicating with Roger Kollman as he works with the three pilot sites.
Ray H. presented the working draft of the web page training section he and Don Lund had discussed. Discussion and suggestions followed. It was suggested that a log-in protocol be developed for the sample section in order to better market to potential members. A recommendation was made to present draft at Partnership meeting, but clearly delineate on the draft copy the difference between the sample listing and the full listing accessible only for contributing members.
Payment for Services of Executive Director
John S. moved and Terry D. seconded the payment for services provided by Executive Director in February for 6 days. Motion carried.
Director and Partnership Member Reports
Members reported that east central legislators Senator Ring and Representatives Eastlund, Erickson and Jennings are supporting categorical funding of vocational education. Also discussed was school funding and a request by John N. for a presentation on how schools are funded at a future Partnership meeting. Ginger G. distributed information on "Make It in Manufacturing Technology" and requested that the group be asked to make a presentation at the next Partnership meeting.
Agenda for Membership Meeting
The agenda for the partnership meeting was set as follows: 1. STW Report, 2. Allied Health Care and Retail Committee Reports, 3. Training Section on Web Page, 4. Skills Certificates 5. Executive Committee Report, 6. Make It in Manufacturing Technology Presentation and 7. Employer Conference Marketing Plan.
Adjournment and Minutes
Darwin B. moved, seconded by John S. to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes by Ray H.