Younger Workers Commitee Meeting

September 10, 2014: 1:30 PM
Frances Perkins Conference Room, Maine Department of Labor
45 Commerce Drive, Augusta ME 04330

9.10.14

Present: Members: Garret Oswald, Denise Smith, Via Polycom, Scott Good, Lisa Hartnett, Kristen Chandler, Meg Harvey, Janie Small, Mike Jordan, Jamie Grover

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

The minutes from the September 12, 2014 meeting were accepted.

STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD (SWIB)

Denise provided an overview of the strategy for the committee moving forward which includes sharing best practices and greatest challenges. The best meetings we, as practitioners, have had in the past were the ones at the table-- brainstorming issues and programs--having discussions that effect the great work we are all doing throughout our state.

She recommended we shift the YWC meetings to mirror that approach; if the ?job? is to advise the SWIB, the best way to do that is by having conversations with each one another. First off, are we missing anyone? Are there other key players we should invite to participate on our committee?

Everyone on the phone shared some information about what they are currently doing in their positions.

Best Practices: Scott: His company does contracting for healthcare companies. When they hire people, they are looking for a broad skill base?people who think creatively and can write well. They will train the technical skills. Their work is focused on program design and healthcare oriented, but not specific to healthcare.

Lisa: Gearing up for National Manufacturing Day 10/3/14. They work with local HS and local manufacturing for job shadows to try and educate youth about the skilled positions and high wages that accompany those positions. Also discussed the opportunities available with the Job Driven OJT Grant.

Jamie: Has been doing a lot of work with the Juvenile Justice System, establishing a 13 month employment program that includes referrals and placements. They have also established a great relationship with Seabags in Portland. Out of School youth have been doing 12 week work experiences and some have led to OJT opportunities.

Kristen- Case Manager, Wings. Delivers intensive case management services to youth up to age 21, helping to provide support to overcome barriers and provides resources to transportation, employment, and other services. Kristen was also a WIA participant in Washington County.

Meg: There are 27 CTE school in the state and 69 programs with National standards mandated. Assessment standards are being developed with industry credentials in each program that include stackable credentials. A Diversified Occupations program is available for those who have multiple challenges. She discussed the Bridge Year Program recognized in 8 Schools statewide?at ?13th year? program, resulting in 30 college credits toward an associates degree. CTE is partnering with other business to help fill training gaps, i.e., Forestry, and the school uses the businesses equipment to teach the classes. The employees become certified to teach ?adjunct.?

Mike: Working with the trade, schools, University, adult ed, utilizing work experience, and OJT. Starting to collaborate more with Wings, the Loring JC Center, and VR referrals

Janie: Leveraging scholarship funds for more students to attend college (over $700,000). 4 year college degree is approved in Local Area 1?42 exits at high wage. Currently 8 kids enrolled at MMA for 4 years paying $0 out of pocket. 80% of students enrolled are parents.

Greatest Challenges

Lisa: Transportation. Huge challenge.

Jamie: Transportation. Also, homelessness is a major challenge in Knox, Waldo, and Lincoln Counties. There are no shelters in those counties.

Kristen: Transportation to resources and to work.

Jamie: Transportation

Meg: Biggest challenge for CTE is not being able to track the student after graduation.

The group grabbed onto the discussion about the data needed for CTE and how much data we could be losing?these are students who are more likely to enter skilled positions directly from HS or enter a technical school. The data collected is data crucial to what we need around the skill gap, trades, and OJT information. We need 10 years of data in order to identify trends. Could be as simple as collecting SS#s, DOBs? Garret will invite someone from the SLDS/Data Warehouse to present information pertinent to this issue for the next YWC meeting

Attachments