Veteran's Employment Committee

May 20, 2021: 10:00 AM



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Meeting ID: 922 8942 2718 Passcode: adxY5N

AGENDA

State Workforce Board (SWB) Veterans Employment Committee (VEC) MAY 20, 2021 (10:00am - 12:30pm) (via Zoom)

Attending:

Josh Brown Mark Cafiso Leo Dion Mark Cater Joe Tatem Sarah Sherman Nate Russell Andy Gibson David Young Kylie Higgins Matthew Shannon Kaleb Roy Beth Mazzaro Bill Benson Jennifer Giroux

Note taker: Joshua Howe

Joe Tatem Welcome and Opening Remarks: SWB VEC Chair Committee Chair meeting update

Joe Tatem Around the monitor Introductions

Joe Tatem/ALL Approval of Meeting Notes from APR 7, 2021 Meeting Minutes for February Mark Cater first, Leo second- no changes/ edits- unanimously approved. Minutes for April Leo first, second Mark Cater- no changes /edits, unanimously approved.

Discussion: 2020 State Plan: Where else can we be effective? Are there opportunities within apprenticeship? How does apprenticeship recognize past experience for veterans? Is there work to be done there. Apprenticeship is working to better expand into non-traditional occupations. Mark Cafiso volunteering to join apprenticeship committee to represent veterans and veteran issues on the committee. Veteran's team is running weekly workforce events. Apprenticeship is part of those as well.
Joe Tatem- How can we get more information out about GI bill funds be used to support apprenticeship programs? Camden Edge working with a client of Joes to apply GI Bill funds to an apprenticeship program. Sarah Sherman believes that theres a licensing program which will help with licensing fees, will get back to the committee on same. Matt Leonard from Military Talent source and strong proponent for Bridge and Apprenticeship. GI bill can be used on some of those programs. CareerOneStop - Caution- https://www.careeronestop.org/Veterans/BackToSchool/get-licensed.aspx VA Licensing and Certification - Caution- https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees/ How can this committee raise the momentum on this? Challenge for some companies is the administrative work involved in apprenticeship, especially for small businesses.
Apprenticeship working with multiple industry organizations which can help take some of the administrative work off the business. If a business is part of one of those, they can access that. If theyre part of one which is not connected to apprenticeship, it might be a good connection for apprenticeship to help enroll them. Mark Cafiso is a good resource for this. Kaleb- some businesses might not realize how powerful the connection with the GI Bill is for apprentices and how to market that. Can be a way to recruit because he has that benefit.
How to tie VA VR into apprenticeship more. Challenge is that theyre weighted towards physically demanding occupations which can be challenging for some veterans with service-related disability. If veteran is in VR program, they cant use GI bill too.
Already a lot of apprenticeship templates available which can be adapted to new businesses.
List of current apprenticeship sponsors as of February 1 2021 https://www.maine.gov/labor/docs/2021/apprenticeship/MaineApprenticeshipProgramCurrentSponsors.pdf NH has a business orientation meeting if someone wants to run a business in the state. Does Maine have this? Would it be Labor or DECD?
Leo- how to we fold this into existing initiatives such as Military 101. How can we be a "force multiplier" for apprenticeship? Kylie mentioned VRAP- Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program--Provides training toward an Associate's, non-college degree or certificate that leads to a high demand occupation as determined by DOL https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/veteran-rapid-retraining-assistance/ ESGR does that well Marketing already strong.
Veterans and Womens employment committees- childcare is barrier for women and families in term of employment. Funding is a barrier, but also is availability of slots in childcare. Availability of childcare https://childcarechoices.me Substance abuse is a major barrier for some individuals whether alcohol or other. Transportation continues to be a major barrier. VA is working on Ride Share program for homeless veterans contracted through Uber/Lyft.
How do we look to braid services across programs both within WIOA but also across VA and external resources? Improve cross training across programs and benefits.

SWB VEC Members Strategic Planning Priorities 2020/2021 Updates

o MARKETING to Veterans and Employers Maine Hire-A-Vet 2020 Campaign Update (Future Planning?) Co-Coordinators, Leo Deon, LVER Lewiston CareerCenter and Mark Cafiso, LVER, Portland CareerCenter Leo- 2020 closed out 145 veteran hires. Digital icons ready for participants and employers. Getting letter of thanks form Governor and Commissioner (DOL). Planning for 2021. August 26th opening kickoff. Reservation at Civic Center assuming that we can again do a live event but have capacity to deliver virtually. Team meeting next week to build structure and full committee to start in June. Monthly hiring events and education events are planned. Open to veterans and other job seekers. Veteran Marketing Workgroup report: Leo Deon, Mark Cafiso, David Richmond, Sarah Sherman, Jen Fullmer No new updates.
Video Production Workgroup report: Leo Deon, Mark Cafiso, JR Abbott
Leo- Reaching out to hired veterans who did the HAV last year and trying to get a testimonial. Working to get veteran videos for this years even ahead of time.
Were working with Destination Occupation on videos. Joe and Leo to revisit that.
Videos for veterans on preparing for civilian employment still pending (Youll never have a job as cool as the one you just left...). Need to revisit- Joe and Leo.

o EDUCATION Employers Updates/Initiatives?
As part of HAV, doing a hiring a veteran employer training to run ahead of actual hiring.
Weekly virtual hiring events for employers and keeping veterans top of mind in those events.

o EDUCATION Veterans Veteran Education Workgroup: Leo Deon, Mike Gray No new updates

o SWB VEC MEMBERSHIP New Members 2021 Constant Evolution

o VETERAN FRIENDLY EMPLOYER AWARDS Updates. Leo- Federal program 2/3 awarded last year didnt submit, one missed the hiring percentages and other missed deadline. Third employer did apply and waiting on consideration. No update on state award. Bethany M. - Patriot Award (ESGR) is way for employee to nominate employer for standing by them during service. Program has increased since Covid. Next level is Above and Beyond award for those who did even more. Great opportunities to get in front of employers and reinforce benefits of hiring a veteran. Estimated 200-300 this year which is significantly up from previous years.

All SWB VEC Member Updates (Kylie Higgins) we are able to see face to face appointments now and I am able to travel throughout the state to meet folks in offices/veterans in offices or public settings! We are also going to be starting a veteran's job club with my CWT counterpart so stay tuned for more info on that as well as WRAP which is the wellness recovery action planning which combines recovery oriented activities whether mental health or substance use disorder and making employment a part of that recovery plan. More to come! (Leo Deon) Maine Hire-A-Vet 2021 - August 26, 2021 Campaign Kick-Off and Opening Ceremony planned for Augusta Civic Center. The campaign will run August 26 to November 24, 2021. (Sarah Sherman) Mills Administration Launches Maine Veterans Dental Network in Partnership with Northeast Delta Dental https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/mills-administration-launches-maine-veterans-dental-network-partnership-northeast-delta-dental Great reception, people are so thankful for the assistance. Bureaus Dental information page https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/healthcare/dentalaccessand_information.html (Matt Shannon) Military OneSource designed to help support mental health of veterans and their families such as support, counseling, health and wellness coaching. Can access through web or phone for assistance. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ (Joe Tatem) Mark Cater is resource for National Guard members who are looking for employment.
(Mark Cafiso) Greater Portland MMCN holding a veteran's healthcare information session on July 7th from 1500-1700. Portland MMCN meeting June 2nd at 1500, Veterans Home Improvement Project presenting. (Leo Deon) Franklin County Maine Military & Community Network Regional Group Meeting. Held 19MAY21. Carla Mowatt with MEARNG was guest speaker. Next meeting is 11AUG21 at 1:00 pm in the virtual format. Always looking for guest speakers. If interested, contact me at Leo.J.Deon@maine.gov. Thanks! (Josh Brown) A lot moving withing WIOA, new reporting and changes in system.
(Kaleb Roy) Business is busy, picking up which is great. Working on hiring which continues to be a challenge. Hiring at all levels and will train. Internship applicants are down from previous years as well.
(Andy Gibson) few openings across the state and are seeking applicants.

Andy Gibson Miscellaneous / Adjourn Motion Leo Deon / Seconded by Sara Sherman Agreed by committee

Meeting ended 12:04 . Future Dates for 2021 SWB VEC Meetings, VIRTUAL or Frances Perkins Rm, MDOL July 22, September 16 and November 18

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