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Womens Employment Committee
February 3, 2020: 9:30 AMFrances Perkins Rm, 45 Commerce Dr., Augusta, ME
WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES ALUMNI CENTER BOARDROOM, UMA CAMPUS
02/03/2020
Present: Gilda Nardone, (Chair), Erin Benson, Peaches Bass, Auta Main, Joni Boissonneault, Laurie Glidden, Joy Gould, Darylen Cote, (Phone), Kelly Samson-Rickert, (Phone), Valerie Carter, (Phone), Danielle Despin, (Phone), Andrea Mancuso, (Phone), Mufalo Chitam, (Phone)
Staff: Joshua Howe, Cheryl Moran
Guests: Claire Sullivan, Lisa Cooper, Jean Dempster
Gilda Nardone opened the meeting at 9:33am. She asked members to introduce themselves and their affiliations and if involved or familiar with Digital Badging and Micro-Credentials.
Presentation on All Learning Counts initiative with Claire Sullivan, Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, UMS Handouts were provided and Gilda stated she will send out slides afterwards. Highlights: This is a statewide initiative and is funded by the Lumina Grant. Target populations: o Incarcerated o Low-income o People of color/New Mainers/Native Americans The Micro-Credential framework consists of 3 Levels that culminates into a Macro Badge Level 1 - Introduction & Foundation Level 2 Training & Practice Level 3 Application & Feedback The 21st Century Skills Badges are now ready to go. There are 8 in total: 1. Initiative 2. Collaboration 3. Creative Problem Solving 4. Critical Thinking 5. Intercultural Fluency 6. Empathy 7. Oral Communication 8. Resilience Claire Interest is having a credential where a person can get a job after. Micro-Credential Pathways begins with: Digital Literacy/Technology, Healthcare, Educators/Professional Development, Entrepreneurship They are still in the early stages...spreading the word and getting this out. They will be reaching out to the Human Resource Professionals. Feedback Erin Benson suggested to have a Trades endorsement as well. Peaches Bass stated employers are the key to some of these. She also feels skeptical because she believes this is a human skill that does not really require a credential. Josh Howe You want to reach out to the Hospitality Industries that may have "Moms & Pops" connected that do not have Human Resource departments. Next Steps: Education leading to degrees and high-quality jobs. How can we communicate with each other in the most effective way? Gilda Nardone What is our Committee role and other committees of the State Workforce Board (SWB)?
Update on Workforce Development strategic planning, new WIOA State Plan, and State Workforce Board Joshua Howe Nine vision sessions were held around the state. The focus was on youth and service providers. The new WIOA plan is more specific but has the same strategies. Employers need: Integration of the workforce system Support services Career Pathways Communication How do we communicate about that System? Transferrable skills Micro Credentials new feature The draft for public comment will go out later this month. The public comment period is two weeks and comments are received by email, snail mail. Maine receives a lot less funding than other states due to being deemed a small state. Feedback Peaches Bass The employer sector needs meaningful contributions. Gilda Nardone What is the System and how do they work together? What is specific to WIOA and how do we weave these resources together? What aspects from a gender perspective is included? (Data by gender) Committees need to have more interaction/input with the SWB. Josh stated he will let the committees know when the draft will be going out for public comment.
Member policy and program updates and announcements Laurie Glidden Collaborating with CAP agencies. Joni Boissonneault Greater Portland Cash Program pilot year. All in one Satellite site at the Riverton location. Basic tax preparation. Jean Dempster ReminderAlways ask if they have worked at all in 2019 because they may be eligible for a sales tax credit. Earn at least $2,500 to receive the child tax credit. Gilda Nardone Totally Trades coming up this spring. Locations will be: Westbrook, Bangor, Presque Isle, and Lewiston. Information is posted on their website. Joy Gould Construction Skills Program still accepting people, need to take a CASAS. Darylen Cote Talent Search using STEM money to send girls to summer camp. Peaches Bass announced Kim Moore is the new Bureau of Employment Services (BES) Director.
Meeting Adjourned.
Next Meeting: March 23, 2020, 9:30 Noon Frances Perkins Room 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran
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