Womens Employment Committee

October 1, 2018: 9:30 AM
Frances Perkins rm, 45 Commerce Dr, Augusta

Women’s Employment Committee AGENDA 10/01/18 9:30 – Noon Frances Perkins Room, MDOL 9:30 Introductions 9:45 – 11:00 Update on education and workforce credential resources with invited guests Lisa Cooper, Maine Development Foundation, MaineSpark Adult Promise Joan Dolan, Maine Department of Labor, Apprenticeship and Competitive Skills Scholarship Program Other federal and state policy and program updates Break 11:15 – 11:30 Approval of 5/14/18 Minutes WIOA/DOL Updates 11:30 – Noon Member updates Upcoming 2018 Meetings: Monday, December 3

WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

10/01/2018

Present: Gilda Nardone, (Chair), Danielle Despins, Karen Keim, Laurie Glidden, Valerie Carter, Joni Boissonneault, Marcela Peres, (Phone), Erin Benson, (Phone)

Guest: Lisa Cooper, Maine Development Foundation, MaineSpark Adult Promise Joan Dolan, Maine Department of Labor, Apprenticeship and Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP)

Staff: Joshua Howe, Cheryl Moran

Introductions Gilda Nardone opened the regular meeting at 9:37am with welcome and introductions. She introduced Joan Dolan and Lisa Cooper and stated Joan will provide a brief update on Apprenticeship and CSSP and Lisa will provide a brief update on MaineSpark.

Update on education and workforce credential resources with invited guests Joan Dolan, Maine Department of Labor, Apprenticeship and Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP) – a handout was provided. Joan opened her presentation by stating apprenticeship is exploding in Maine. Currently, she is working with 144 employers who want to become sponsors. These employers have inquired and are at different stages. This year she received monies to hire a staff person and to make a video through the Apprenticeship Accelerated Grant. Joan reported that Bath Iron Works (BIW) will hire 1,200 people in the next 12 months. Last year, they graduated 47 apprentices. This year, there will be more and they will have multiple trades. BIW also is looking to hire women. Joan stated the apprenticeship program has an EEO worksheet included. Sunday River has a culinary program that is tied to the CTE schools and they will receive a pay check the first day of hire. The classroom participation still comes at no cost to the participant. The employer is paid 100% of the cost for training (degree program). The offset cost of the new training can be with an OJT, CSSP, or WIOA funding. This is very attractive to businesses. Joan stated their real focus is registering associations and workforce intermediaries (ACAP, EMDC). The two new significant sponsors are: MEMA and Hospitality Maine. She stated they must agree to hire. She pointed out that wages will be different in different locations however; they must agree to the “schedule wage increase”. Joan pointed out that Erin Benson is working on the WANTO grant that was awarded to ACAP for the next program year. The big change with CSSP in the last 2 – 3 years is to focus to a more business-driven program. CSSP will cover up to $6,000 in tuition costs with a possible stipend. She reiterated that CSSP can offset training costs. She announced the new CSSP list is being reviewed now. She also stated the list has expanded. Joan was asked if she could provide an example. Her response was no, because the list has not been approved yet. She plans to have the list approved at the next State Workforce Development Board meeting in November.
Also, minor rules changes are being proposed. Decrease the age to 17. CSSP can follow the student all the way to graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree. The 200% poverty level always is based on family income. Gilda Nardone stated Joan’s presentation fits nicely into Lisa’s broader presentation – knowing how to leverage funds and to build connections. This is very important. Joan stated she is partnering with Dan Belyea from the Maine Community College System and he has Quality Center Training funds. Joan was asked if the application is long where the employer may not want or have the time to fill out. Joan responded stating the business application form is a couple of pages long and her staff or the CareerCenter staff can assist. Joshua Howe also stated get businesses connected with the Department and they will assist. Joan - In the last 12 months, they have acquired 21 new sponsors for apprenticeship. Lisa Cooper, Maine Development Foundation, MaineSpark Adult Promise – a PowerPoint presentation and handouts were provided. Lisa opened her presentation by stating MaineSpark is a big and encompassing initiative and she wants everyone to have an understanding of what they are planning to do. To be able to communicate what they know, and to let people know. She stated they are coming together and addressing these statistics. Lisa stated the key thing is, this is not a new program. A lot of people are doing good solid work throughout the state but, we have been siloed. Based on the Lumina Foundation’s national goal: 60% by 2025, the feds want every state to adopt this. This is the goal Maine has adopted. It has been written into statute. It does not need to be degrees. It can be any credential but must be a good credential. Stackable credentials that lead to a good career pathway. Erin Benson asked how are you going to do this? How are you going to collect data? Lisa responded we need to bring together a cross-section of policy recommendations; a statewide longitudinal database. This is one of the big challenges. Joan Dolan stated moving into Maine is more of a challenge than moving out. Maine has a very rigorous licensing requirement. Lisa stated MaineSpark is very focus as a “all hands-on deck”. They will look at different populations and groups, work with them and bring them to the table. MaineSpark has 4 tracks; 1. Strong Foundations – For children from birth through sixth grade 2. Future Success – For students from sixth grade through post-secondary education 3. Adult Promise – For adult learners looking to earn credentials or change careers 4. New Opportunities – For professionals looking to move or begin new careers in Maine What is the strategy surrounding all these groups? Let’s look at who’s doing what. Joan Dolan asked where does DHHS come into this? Lisa answered they come to them in different portals. Joshua Howe – Licensing is so critical and starting from birth to 6th grade. Gilda Nardone stated ultimately everyone will be working together to achieve this goal. Lisa stated the Lumina Foundation has given MaineSpark a $750,000 grant over a 2-year period. They also have singular pots of money (CSSP, WIOA etc.). They haven’t pulled together the funding into one package. They have a lot of good resources but they need to leverage them better. Professional development is a big part of what they do. Such as, do you know what is going on in your area or the type of training? Different regions have different sets of resources. She stated they have 261 Navigators on their list and it’s growing all the time. Community-based services and Navigators provide that network of support and guidance. A MaineSpark Navigator is an education and career specialist who assists, coaches, and empowers students to develop and pursue post-secondary, career pathway goals and employment. That is all of you! Announcement: November 8th Navigator Committee Meeting in Bangor. At this meeting, they will be conducting a training to maximize public assistance benefits. Valerie Carter asked Joan Dolan or Lisa Cooper, what extent do you have labor unions involved? Joan Dolan answered by stating, Jennifer McKenna is the Chair of her council and has 4 open seats that are dedicated to unions mainly coming through associations. Lisa Cooper answered by stating, yes, she has industry associations involved but no union specific.

Approval of 05/14/18 Minutes Gilda Nardone called for approval of the 05/14/18 meeting minutes. Karen Keim motioned. Joni Boissonneault seconded. Minutes approved unanimously without correction.

WIOA/DOL Updates Joshua Howe – The State Unified Plan was modified in March. There were no significant modifications. The number of goals identified were being picked up by MaineSpark which they incorporated into the modifications related to that. Josh was asked to explain what the State Plan is. He answered, under WIOA, all states are required to have a State Plan. This plan was developed with the assistance of the core partners (DOE, BRS, LWB’s, BES) to include strategic planning elements consisting of a strategic vision and goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce. The Governor has not applied for the 2018 funding because the contracts are still being reviewed. When the contracts are approved, the Governor will apply for the 2018 funding.
Initially, the Governor requested that 70% of the money needs to go specifically to training. And if the local areas are unable to meet that goal, then they would receive a 10% penalty. When the plan modification was submitted with that clause, the Feds stated the local boards cannot be sanctioned and that clause was removed. The plan was finally approved with the condition to remove the 10% that was ordered by the Feds. Josh was asked how many regions are there now? Josh answered by stating there used to be 4. The northern region consolidated and now there are 3. He announced there are 9 seats available on the State Workforce Board including his position as Director however; he pointed out that his position is not appointed by the Governor.
The Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Corrections (DOC) have been collaborating for the last year with the Maine State Prison in Warren. They met at the prison recently and had an employer panel including 8 prisoners. The employers discussed what their concerns are and the prisoners discussed what their concerns are when they are released. Joan Dolan mentioned she is working with 2 prisons with the service dog program and apprenticeship. Josh highly recommended if you can, take a tour of the Maine State Prison. He was very impressed with the work they are doing with the prisoners. 120 people attended, employers and community services. They expected the attendance to be 40 – 50. Josh mentioned at the recent State Workforce Board meeting, Senator Volk asked how are we going to get them hired. Employers are much more receptive on hiring these untapped labor pools.

Member updates Gilda Nardone asked committee members to provide an update on what’s happening in their work capacity. Marcela Peres, Lewiston Public Library stated she has nothing to report.
Erin Benson, ACAP stated she also has nothing to report but she did comment stating Joan said it all! She did however have a request; (1) Have a written document of all committee members and what they do; (2) When people call in, please speak louder and identify themselves. Joni Boissonneault, Portland Housing Authority reported they received 2 grants; (1) John T. Gorman and (2) the United Way of Portland which allowed them to add staff and the ability to assist more people (adult). Laurie Glidden, Maine State Housing Authority reported 2 pilot programs; (1) “Building Family Futures” designed for families to have stable housing - she has the vouches and they have housing.
This was a result of legislation that was instituted 2 years ago, and (2) “Family Future Downeast” provides navigator services. She stated they also are partnering with ACAP.
Karen Keim, Maine Educational Opportunity Center & Maine Educational Talent Search Program reported they recently had an audit and passed as being pristine. Valerie Carter, PhD, Bureau of Education, University of Maine reported in August, they had their annual summer Labor institute meeting. 12 people attended outside the country. 11 Germans and 1 Hungarian. She stated she was in charge of finding them housing. She will continue to teach their labor studies program. Kelly Samson-Rickert, State of Maine Office of Information Technology (Cheryl Moran reported on her behalf) Good news – the Governor declared a week in November as Cyber career week. She’s working to partner efforts with the universities to promote Cyber events through the week – especially to girls and the Mainely women in IT Group. They will kick off the Cyber Girl challenge. And they are gearing up to offer panel interviews to Veteran candidates – potential hires from the Veterans Campaign. Also, planning Veterans Day events. Gilda Nardone, New Ventures Maine announced the dates of the Totally Trades Conferences this fall. October 6th in Calais November 9th in Farmington She also announced on November 10th is the Empowerment Women Conference. Committee membership - Gilda stated she has a list of members but not everyone is active. Usually at the end of the year, she will provide an update.

Next meeting’s agenda, Gilda stated she wants to focus on women Veterans and try to do cross-committee trainings.

Meeting adjourned at Noon.

Next meeting will be held on Monday, December 3 from 9:30am – Noon in the Frances Perkins room, Central Maine Commerce Center, Augusta.

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran

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