Younger Workers Committee

May 31, 2018: 9:30 AM
Frances Perkins rm, 45 Commerce Dr, Augusta

YOUNGER WORKERS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA 05/17/18 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS/APPROVAL OF THE 03/15/18 MEETING MINUTES UPDATE ON WIOA/SWB GENERAL GROUP DISCUSSION – ESTABLISH GOAL (S) TO WORK ON FOR 2018 BASED ON THE COMMITTEE’S PITCH “YOUTH WITH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT” MEMBERSHIP/NEW CHAIR OTHER ADJOURN REMAINING 2018 MEETINGS: September 27, 2018 November 15, 2018 Frances Perkins room, 9:30am – Noon, CMCC 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta


YOUNGER WORKERS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

05/31/2018

Present: Tracey Cooley, Dave Door, Mark Bay, Meg Harvey, Tammy Richardson, Anne Wheeler, Melissa Williams, Dave Wurm (Phone), Mike Jordan (Phone)

Staff: Joshua Howe, Cheryl Moran

Welcome and Introductions/Approval of the 03/15/18 meeting minutes The meeting opened with welcomes and introductions and Cheryl Moran called motion for approval of the 03/15/18 meeting minutes. Tracey Cooley motioned. Tammy Richardson seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously as written.

Update on WIOA/SWB Joshua Howe announced the resignation of Garret Oswald, former Director of the State Workforce Board. He then provided an update of the status of the State Plan modification. The Unified State Plan is a 4-year federal plan. A modification was required after 2 years. Josh stated they still are waiting for approval of the modification from USDOL. The 2018 funding application is due next week, June 8th but the Governor wants to wait for plan approval before he applies for the funding. There’s a 90-day window to approve the plan. If the plan is not approved by next week, they will ask for an extension.
YES Initiative – Josh stated employers are in need for staff especially the hospitality industry. The goal of the YES Initiative is to get more youth into the workplace, mainly 13 and 14-year-old. This Initiative also wants to promote the importance of work to youth and to get the parents involved. MDOL had a press conference yesterday June 1st. MDOL has received funding to offset training - $10,000 in WIOA funds with permission from Commissioner John Butera, $50,000 from the DECD. There will be a $400 stipend per new entrant into the workforce but it does not need to necessarily be a student. The Department of Labor has attempted to get a “training wage” through the Legislature but it did not pass. $10.00 is hard for employers to want to pay. Applying for a work permit: There is a section for employers and students and a form that needs to be filled out. You can find this information on the CareerCenter website and their Facebook page. Students need to have a job first. Then they report to their superintendent. Work permits can be processed in 2-4 days. They no longer have a long wait. Josh strongly stated again employers cannot get enough physical bodies.

General Group Discussion – Establish Goal (s) To Work On for 2018 Joshua Howe – CTE bridge to Job Corps – how to use the pipeline we have and coordinate. Anne Wheeler suggested to bring Liz Nitzel from Rehabilitation Services to the table. She also stated youth should be given a chance to ease into things - job shadowing and an informational interview that will culminate into a work experience. Dave Wurm stated transportation is one of the main barriers. Unemployment is very high in Somerset County. Tammy Richardson stated many do not have a license. Anne Wheeler stated they have a hard time getting a job developer in rural areas. Dave Wurm stated we need to change the vernacular to “What do you want to be and how do you want to get there?” We should not push college but find career pathways to a good job. Tracey Cooley stated US Secretary of Labor Acosta visited their Center and mentioned about the restructuring of the Pell Grant. They want to open it up for certifications not just degrees. Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship programs are coming up with ways to streamline with employers. Mark Bay stated the medical field in New Hampshire is down 400 employees. Dartmouth Hospital has a medical assistant apprenticeship program. Once they are trained, they will be hired. Meg Harvey stated she is working with Joan Dolan, Director of the Apprenticeship Program and the goal is to have every CTE school become a Sponsor. She strongly stated we need to have language change. Tracey Cooley stated BIW are not filling their entire positions because many applicants cannot pass the basic national test, read a blueprint or pass a drug test. Melissa Williams stated they held mini sessions in Farmington so students could see what is out there. They worked on some hard skills or whatever is needed – heavy equipment, HVAC. She stated Adult Ed has been paying for some of the instructors and employers have been donating time, equipment and instruction on OSHA safety. This is a different way to get employers and students together. Mark Bay – Extended Learning Opportunities – will give the youth exposure of what the job and career entails. Mark stated employers are coming to them needing skilled people and wanting to train them the way they want. Both Meg and Mark stated they are running into issues with employers asking will there be an issue with USDOL? Meg stated she will be meeting with the Bureau of Labor Standards to develop a form with correct rules and regulations the end of June. She was asked to keep members posted. Meg also suggested to have rules and regulations as one of the committee’s goals. Dave Wurm suggested to look at other best practices because he is concerned with overlapping another committee. For example, the transportation issue. Tracey Cooley – What is the employer’s role in assisting with transportation? Maybe employers need to step up. Employers could ban together to provide transportation. The question is, how to get them to the table. What is the gap between employers and youth? We need to get down to the intimate details of what they are looking for. It takes employers to be committed as well. Maybe the starting place is finding “youth-friendly” employers? Employers need to realize the value of youth if they are stating they are in desperate need.

Committee members came up with 4 goals to work on for the remainder of 2018 and into 2019: 1. Transportation 2. Apprenticeship opportunities – connecting with the CTE 3. Rules and regulations 4. Connecting with employers

Membership/New Chair Members were asked to provide their name, title and whom they are associated with so a new list can be updated. New Chair – Committee members decided to have not only a Chair but a Vice Chair to provide back-up if the Chair was unable to attend. At the previous meeting, Adrian Cohen stated she was willing to be appointed as the new Chair but she was unable to attend this meeting to discuss. Tracey Cooley also stated she would be willing to be appointed as Chair. Cheryl Moran stated out of fairness to Adrian, she would like to hear her thoughts first then a decision can be made.

Other – Agenda for the next meeting First half of the meeting – invite Joan Dolan, Director of the Apprenticeship Program to speak about the Pre-Apprenticeship/Apprenticeship program. Second half of the meeting – the 4 goals.

Meeting Adjourned

Next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 9:30 – Noon in the Frances Perkins room, Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) Central Maine Commerce Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta.

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran


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