Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

March 9, 2004

Call to Order: Chair John Norris called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.

In Attendance: Sharon Prahl, People Focus, Nick Waldoch, Braham Area Schools, Joan B. Danielson, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training, Terry Dalbey, Cambridge WorkForce Center, Kathy Burski, Lakes & Pines, CAC, Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families, Jan Austad, ARCC – Cambridge Campus, Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Sara Treiber, ECRDC, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools, Diane Knutson, DEED, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Dick Rhoades, Milaca High School, John Schlagel, JoAnn Faust, RISE Employment, Vicky Wills, Crystal Cabinet Works, Inc., Mary Ann Straley, Princeton Schools, Dennis Tollefson, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training, Christy Flaspeter, Grandview and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Introductions: Dick Rhoades was welcomed and members introduced themselves.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of February 10, 2004 were approved upon motion by Robert M., seconded by Nick W. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Treasurer John S. reported a balance of $40,372.47. Revenue was from interest. Expenditures were for Executive Director services and payments to Don Lund and ECMECC for Web Site related expenses. Moved by Robert M, seconded by Terry D to approve financial report. Motion carried.

Presentation on The Future for Pine Technical College – The Long View: Robert M. shared an expanded presentation he made at a recent strategic planning session at Pine Technical College. The driving force for the planning effort at Pine Technical College addressed the questions, “What is lacking in higher education in Minnesota?” and “What might be Pine Technical College’s role in addressing that need?”

What appears to be lacking in the state is a PolyTechnic College such as UW-Stout in Wisconsin or Cal Poly Technic in California. Robert shared an extensive list of degree programs not available in Minnesota, with one example being medical engineering technology.

He then proceeded to give background information and updated members on advances within telecommunications that will affect all of us. He illustrated the need for people with skills to run and operate the sophisticated new technologies. He spoke of the closed system, The Internet 2, Planet Lab that gives brains to the Internet, Free Space Optics and Wireless Sensor Technology. For each of these he identified capabilities beyond present capacity.

He shared fascinating bits of information to illustrate the reality of all this. For example, present fiber optic wire capabilities are 10,000 times faster than 10 years ago. Speeds are going up. Storage capabilities are increasing exponentially. Palm pilots for physician’s will/can contain all medical knowledge needed to practice. Wireless LANs within buildings using WiFi a cell phone like technology and will eliminate need for wires. He spoke of Tele Ultra Sound, captioned glasses for disabled and nano technology that will allow medicine to be delivered to individual cancer cells. With all this there is a tremendous need for Broadband, which was already a $3.9 trillion business in 2003.

He concluded his presentation by saying the need for training skilled technicians is quite obvious, as “you can’t have PhD’s as factory managers.” He contended that, “We need to provide access to that education.”

Members applauded his presentation and asked a number of questions about the information he discussed. John N. asked if there was anyway the Partnership could help or support this effort. Community support aimed at legislators and MNSCU, which has assembled a task force to examine this issue, would be helpful.

Employer Conference Planning: Marty H. distributed brochures and postcards. Members took brochures and agreed to distribute brochures to assigned groups. Everyone was encouraged to “spread the word and brochures” encouraging attendance.

Marty H. reviewed the schedule and pointed members to www.investinfamilies.org for online information about the conference. Breakout session content was reviewed and members who arranged breakout sessions were thanked.

H1B Training Grant: Members revisited information presented at January meeting. Questions about training needs were raised. John N. agreed to contact LuAnn G. from CMJTS to get clarification. It appears that one of the training needs raised can be addressed immediately by the Families Forward Grant. Marty H., Joan D. and Vicky W. agreed to follow-up on this.

Graduation Standards and Impact on Schools: Brief discussion was held. It appears this will be an ongoing issue and probably will require new ways to offer technical training.

Executive Director Payment for Services and Expenses: Upon motion by Ginger G., seconded by Robert M. members approved payment for two days for director services in February 2004 and reimbursed mileage for November and December 2003 and January and February 2004. Motion carried.

Information sharing: Ginger G. reported on her trip to Washington DC on behalf of manufacturers. Ray H. distributed Labor Market Data - Watcher e-mail from DEED. Diane K. mentioned April 5^th Manufacturer’s Summit. Ginger G. and John N. mentioned shortage and steep increases in cost of metal.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel