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Veteran's Employment Committee
September 16, 2021: 10:00 AMMeeting ID: 965 7115 3290 Passcode: ma5Bbr
STATE WORKFORCE BOARD (SWB) VETERANS EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE (VEC) MEETING MINUTES September 16, 2021 (10:00am - 12:00pm) (via ZOOM)
Attended: Joe Tatem, (Chair), Mark Cater, Sarah Sherman, Andy Gibson, David Young, Beth Mazzaro, Nicole Frydrych, Scott Young, Bill Benson, Kylie Higgins, Adria Horn, Ashley Pringle
Guest: Carolyn Graves, Manufactures Association of Maine
SWB Staff: Cheryl Davis
Welcome and Introductions Committee Chair Joe Tatem opened the meeting at 10:13am with welcome and around the monitor introductions.
Opening Remarks Is what we're doing as a committee working and whats the metric? Joe stated if you have input, please speak up, you will be heard.
Approval of Meeting Notes from July 22, 2021 Meeting Mark Cater motioned to approve. Beth Mazzaro seconded. Minutes approved unanimously without correction.
Manufactures Association of Maine: Carolyn Graves (Slide Presentation) Highlights: Consist of 400 members. They are a 501(c)6. Send out weekly email blast known as Workforce Wednesday. Host webinars on workforce issues. Have a partnership with Destination Occupation. Certified manufactures program. Worked with Boots to Roots. Could fill positions with their members and assist veterans back into the workforce. Stars and Stripes are in Freeport in conjunction with Boots to Roots. Q&A Joe Tatem Do you do a regional blast? Carolyn Graves We have different distribution lists. Members are broken down by counties. Elevated pitch is conducted by Destination Occupation. Joe Tatem Is there an area of manufacturing you focus on? Carolyn Graves We have representation from all sectors. We customize services from all of them. Debbie Kelly Do you have incentives for hiring veterans? Would like to have a connection with a LVER. Carolyn stated email her at carolyn@mainemfg.com so she can connect to get more veterans into manufacturing.
Maine Hire-A-Vet 2021 Campaign Update Andy Gibson
Over 150 employers.
80 Job Seekers.
30 were veterans already registered into the Job Link.
Started education classes on hiring veterans.
Pre-Event August 26 and Event on September 7.
Virtual event every Tuesday at 10am.
Scheduled regionally, 4 Thursday events this fall (virtual).
In the past, reaching out to employers is where we have tapped into.
On September 21, apply for State Government employment.
Joe Tatem Why did only 80 people show up?
Mark Cater Stimulus and UI checks as well as COVID 19.
Andy Gibson - On September 6, UI ended. Maine has decided to keep this until the Feds end it. Maine is one of the only states doing this.
The veteran population is getting older in Maine.
There are a million in one factor. We cannot really pinpoint the reason.
Sarah Sherman She thinks people have jumped into other jobs to better themselves.
Bill Benson If people want a job, they do not need to come to a hiring event. There are other resources.
Debbie Kelly Also agrees people are taking advantage or opportunity receiving the extra UI benefits.
She stated shes been seeing this in other states as well, speaking from a federal level. This is not just a Maine issue. This is also happening across all populations not just veterans.
David Young New applicants are definitely down from a year or two. There has been an influx of veterans moving to Maine due to being considered safe. COVID was a huge impact to them.
People do not want to be forced to get a shot for employment.
What happened to Afghanistan has impacted mental health with veterans.
People are also stating they will quit if forced to get a shot.
Andy Gibson Childcare, SSDI, homeschooling, is an economic decision to being on UI.
Beth Mazzaro suggested to collect statistics on veterans receiving UI vs civilians in Maine.
EDUCATION Employers Joe Tatem stated its important to reach out to as many employers as we can.
VETERAN EMPLOYER AWARDS Updates Debbie Kelly Hire A Veteran Medallion Award. The announcement will be made around Veterans Day. Beth Mazzaro At their annual meeting, the focus was to bring in the employer around the state for the awards presentation. 17 volunteers were invited to Camp Chamberlain in Augusta. Freedom Award This is a national recognition award. The presentation will be presented at the Pentagon by the Secretary of Defense. Thirty-five (35) employers will be recognized throughout the U.S. We are plugging for BIW to receive this award. In July, the names will be released.
SWB VEC Member Update Sarah Sherman They will be co-hosting the Homeless Veterans event on 10/05 in Caribou, 10/12 in Bangor, and 10/19 in Lewiston from 10am 2pm. The CareerCenter will provide support. Debbie Kelly VFW and the Brotherhood applied for stand down funds. Had an uptick of TA. Busy with HRP grantees. Not receiving the requested assistance as they were hoping for. Adria Horn Tilson is still hiring a lot but not as much in Maine. Tilson has growing offices in Wisconsin, Atlanta Georgia. They just opened an office in Phoenix Arizona. Tilson must excuse themselves due to a conflict of interest in Maine. Skillbridge, their presence is growing. She stated she wants the State of Maine to be a Skillbridge employer but does not know how to make this happen. The State of Maine would really benefit from this. She stated she would be happy to talk about this. The mission of this Committee is evolving as veterans needs are. David Young stated hes looking forward to hearing how the Maine-Hire-A-Vet Campaign is doing. Scott Young LD 542 "An Act to Provide Support Services for Military Members Transitioning to Civilian Life in Maine" died on the appropriations table. LD 1733 - "An Act to Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State Fiscal Recovery Funds" was picked up and funded for $200,000. Assist military members to civilian life. LD 1705 An Act to Support Maine Students Who Are Dependents of Current or Former Members of the Military" passed. LD 374 An Act to Allow Veterans, Active Duty Service Members and Their Spouses to Apply for Temporary Occupational Licenses and Certifications" Passed. License and certification had made headway to spouses. Mark Cater Skillbridge would be great for the State of Maine. Military One Source is a one-stop resource/individualize support. For more information, please reach out to Mark. Joe Tatem Family Program, they have units that are going right out the door. There is information going out to military connected members monthly. 100% requirement to contact individuals such as 2 separate newsletters and anything employment is going out to service members. Andy Gibson On October 22 is the Yellow Ribbon event.
Adjourn David Young motioned to adjourn. Sarah Sherman seconded. Meeting adjourned at 11:49am.
Next Meeting November 18, 2021 from 10am noon via ZOOM
Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Davis
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