Meetings & Minutes
Apprenticeship Committee minutes 2/24/09
Apprenticeship Committee Minutes
February 24, 2009
Bureau of Employment Services
Commerce Center
Members present: Gene Ellis, Director; Don Berry, Chair; Kate Grambow; Bob Bourgault; Phil Dionne; Tuesdi Woodworth (by phone); Peaches Bass.
Members absent: Allen Wyman; Doug Robertson; John Napolitano; Jeff Cammack
Guests Present: Jill Houser, Region One Director, USDOL; Garret Oswald; Susan Turgeon, scribe
Meeting called to order at 9:05 – quorum not reached.
Introductions made.
• Don discussed “green” program initiative, introduced Peaches, who explained Opportunity Maine. Handouts distributed. Discussion of how information will be distributed and how applies to Apprenticeship. Copies of information will be distributed to next Job Council meeting on May 29.
• Discussion of recruitment of council members. Opening for one management, two public members. Applications are in Governor’s Office, awaiting approval. All current members need reappointment to committee.
• Minutes from previous meeting were informal, no formal approval.
• Reports not printed due to computer problems.
• Gene discussed lack of Field Representative Reports: effective December 31, 2008, five contracts with TDC, ACAP, TRC/Goodwill, WMCAP, Mid-Coast Maine Community Action were pulled back. Effectively, we have no field staff. Skowhegan, Augusta, and Machias are funded.
Registrations have tapered down since January 1, 2009.
• Work Plan distributed and discussed. Committee asked to review and comment. Peaches asked about including plan around energy/energy efficiency. Page could be added to cover that issue. We have associations such as National Association of Home Builders; building trade unions; Associated General Contractors; Associated Builders and Contractors; Opportunity Maine; Natural Resources Council; Women Unlimited.
• Discussion of registering new apprentices – recruitment – apprentices being laid off - how the situations are handled. Internet based registration is an option. If laid off, apprentice has right to all their records.
• There was a motion made and seconded that a recommendation be made to the full Jobs Council that 40% of hours on projects funded by the stimulus package be apprentice hours, and one-half of those hours would be worked by women, minorities and ex-offenders. Motion passed. This motion will be sent out to the full committee.
• Annual Report was discussed. Returns on investment figures were impressive. Plan is to use Portsmouth as a training ground in ‘RAPIDS’ program. Information eventually will be transferred from OSOS to RAPIDS. This was never mentioned in regard to Apprenticeship. Other items from report discussed were:
• Final Rule fact sheet reviewed and discussed. Pros and cons of competency based training were discussed.
• Interim Credentials item discussed.
• Improved Program Registration and Review process discussed.
• Reciprocal Registration
• Provisional Registration
• Increased Linkages with the Workforce Investment System.
• Roles and Responsibilities of the State Approving Agency and the Councils.
• Process for Continued Recognition.
• Program Accountability.
• Ensure National Conformity….regulations: “that recognized States Provide Office of Apprenticeship…..opportunity to review….etc.”
• On page 8, Increasing Flexibility for Location of State Approving Agency.
• Reimbursement Policies – Discussion of issues. Language currently reads “…course of related instruction leading to the certificate or license.” Issue was discussed and motion made to make language change to the policy. Wording changes will be sent electronically to members for voting.
• Prior Learning Assessment language changes: adds PLA as a reimbursable, Apprenticeship-related cost. Again, motion made regarding wording changes will be sent electronically to members for voting.
• Jill Houser – discussed Grant for 29-29, to support the state agency, to make changes necessary to adopt new regulations; also, to attend training for the new regulations. What your plan look like if you had $100,000 to spend? Pool of money will be divided up between states.
• Customized Training Costs: we have had a request from a sponsor for reimbursement for training provided by the Community College system to the employer’s need. There is a precedent for this expenditure. This was discussed at October’s meeting; went out to review committee. This issue was tabled until meeting with all members attending. Also, budget projections should be reviewed with this in mind. After discussion of funding and unobligated monies, amending the language regarding the Maine Community College System Customized Trainings was postponed until the April 22 meeting.
There was discussion that Maine Quality Centers could be set up for Apprentice training. Statute that establishes Quality Centers should be reviewed.
Next meeting date:
April 22, 2009
Commerce Center
Item for April agenda: ESAC
Point of interest – Charles Vaughn, is the new USDOL/ETA/OA New Hampshire Apprenticeship Representative
Meeting adjourned at 11:40.
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