Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

April 13, 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, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Sara Treiber, ECRDC, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, John Schlagel, Christy Flaspeter, Grandview, Bridget Peterson, Greater Minnesota Credit Union, Chris Miller, Oak Land, Craig Paulson, Cambridge-Isanti High School, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College, Vicki Ostrom, Adult Basic Education, Keith Lester, Mora Schools and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Introductions: Those present introduced themselves.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of March 9, 2004 were approved upon motion by Nick W., seconded by Terry D. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Treasurer John S. reported a balance of $39,530.01. Revenue was from interest. Expenditures were for Executive Director services and mileage reimbursement. Moved by Robert M., seconded by Nick W. to approve financial report. Motion carried.

Employer Conference Planning: Marty H. told group that Sue Doering would be presenting the Culture of Poverty breakout session. She has trained under Dr. Ruby Payne. She has 88 paid reservations and another 10 that said they are coming. With the 12 presenters it looks as though about 125 people will attend. There is good representation from business as well as various agencies.

Families Forward and H1B Training Grant: Marty H. explained Families Forward grant and that it has been more difficult to enroll qualified individuals than anticipated, however, numbers are very close in the east central region.

Vicki Ostrom, Adult Basic Education asked for input on employee development workskills or the need for basic skills training. She also asked about need in English as a Second Language. Ginger G. said dealing with basic skills training among employees is a very sensitive issue and asked Vicki O. about tips for employers. Vicki O. also distributed a summary report on adult basic education from her four districts and mentioned that 390 students were served in the Braham, Cambridge-Isanti, Mora and Princeton consortium.

John N. explained the steps his company has taken to develop trained people to replace machinists that are scheduled to retire in the near future. His comments were made in regard to the checking on the potential of a H1B training grant to assist in this effort. Joan D. agreed to explore this possibility.

Toyota Foundation USA Grant Application: Copies of the grant application were distributed. Ray H. reviewed the history of the application and the writing timeline and process. He told of committee member involvement and the assistance of Sally Griffin of The Conifer Group in writing the application.

Committee members present walked the group through the application identifying the salient components of the grant. Ray H. shared a District/ECMWF Partnership Letter of Commitment and Understanding that was prepared to assist the six school districts to formally declare their participation. Discussion ensued and questions were answered.

Robert M. moved to approve the grant and submit it on behalf of the districts that want to participate. Terry D. seconded the motion and it was approved.

Individual Development Accounts: Marty H. and Kathy B. shared the good news about their organizations receiving a grant to develop wealth assets for 10 low-income families. The grant is matched by the First National Bank of North Branch. Family participation involves 10 hours of financial literacy training for whatever asset goal is identified, be it home ownership, training or starting a small business. The hope is to get more businesses involved so the program can expand to include more families.

Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership Grant: Christy F. said that the partners for this grant are Cambridge Medical Center, Grandview and collegiate partner Anoka-Ramsey Community College. The focus of the proposed grant is on long-term retention focusing on safety of employees, especially to meet the “no lift mandate” at Cambridge Medical Center. Grant deadline is May 2004.

Executive Director Payment for Services and Expenses: Upon motion by Chris M., seconded by Ken R., members approved payment for two days for director services in March 2004. Motion carried.

Discussion and Feedback on Manufacturing and Business Needs in Industrial, Vocational and Technology Education: Robert M. posed the discussion question, “Need for skilled manufacturing workers in our region over the next 10-15 years, so colleges and high schools can make informed decisions about programs in light of budget reductions and declining student enrollment.” He pointed out that a number of manufacturing training programs have closed or are considering it, examples are Century, Dakota, South Central and Minneapolis Technical College. He said Pine Technical numbers are down from 35 students three years ago to 10 this year. They need to make a decision on where we need to go in terms of curriculum.

Hutchinson Technology, a company that makes storage devices advised that their need is for employees who have high mathematics skills combined with manufacturing skills. Cambridge-Isanti High School is also in need of advice and feedback as they face retiring staff in their industrial technology department combined with anticipated budget cutbacks. While discussion ensued manufacturing representatives could not present a clear picture of the exact need as they said changes in their industry are complex and moving at breakneck speed.

It was decided that Robert M., and Craig P. would provide leadership with the help of the manufacturing members to convene a special meeting of local manufacturing companies and state manufacturing groups to address the question Robert M. raised. The discussion would center on general education requirements, technical skills and soft skills needed to be successful. This “manufacturing forum” will likely be held at Cambridge-Isanti High School and be a half-day or less. Suggested invitees were MPA, Westling, Crystal Cabinets, EW Tool Makers and Department of Education. The forum should address the program need and how to attract students into the field.

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