State Workforce Board

September 28, 2018: 9:30 AM
Kennebec Valley Community College; Alfond Campus, 677 Skowhegan Rd, Clinton, ME 04927

MAINE STATE WORKFORCE BOARD MEETING

09/28/2018 Kennebec Valley Community College Hinkley, ME

Present: Fred Webber (Chair), Thomas Davis, Ed McKersie, Robert Watson, Guy Langevin, Richard Freund, Dwight Littlefield, Barbara McKeen, Jonathan Mason, Doug Ray, Liz Ray, Anna Black, Renee Kelly, Jennifer McKenna, Dan Belyea, Tracey Cooley, Representative Ryan Fecteau, David Duguay (Phone), Senator Amy Volk (Phone),

Proxy: Mel Clarrage, Terry Young, Scott Good, Peter Anania, John Butera

Staff: Joshua Howe, Cheryl Moran

Welcome & Introductions Fred Webber asked if they have a Quorum before opening the meeting. Joshua Howe stated yes.

Fred Webber opened the regular meeting at 9:41am with welcome and introductions and asked for approval of the 06/01/18 meeting minutes. Tracey Cooley motioned. The 06/01/18 minutes were approved unanimously as written.

Chairs Report - Fred Webber Fred stated he had nothing specific to report.

Silver Collar Award Update Cheryl Moran Silver Collar Employer honors employers whose policies and practices match the needs of mature employees, capturing their skills and experience, strong work ethic, flexibility, and enthusiasm. This year's entry deadline was August 17 and we received a total of 13 applications. This is up 7 from last year. The State Workforce Boards Older Worker Committee selected 4 employers to receive 2018s best employers for workers over the age of 50. Winners were vetted by the Bureau of Labor Standards and the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation to make sure they are clear of any violations. This years awardees are Community Living Association in Houlton, Couleur Collection LLC in Falmouth, Loving Touch In-Home Care in Bangor, and Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport. The SWB will be visiting employers to present their awards during October and November. Maine Hire-A-Vet Initiative Steve Roy/Auta Main Auta explained that the Hire a Vet initiative is in its fourth year. She thanked Guy Langevin from Dead River and Ed McKersie from Live & Work in Maine for being an active participants.
The kickoff event was held at the Augusta Civic Center with 251 employers and was believed to be the largest job fair in Maine. 525 job seekers attended, of which 200 were veterans. 2 Veterans were hired at the job fair, and 19 have been hired since then.
Hilton Honors Military Program provided 13 veterans a free hotel room to attend the event.
The unemployment rate for Veterans in Maine is 1.7 percent which is the lowest in the nation. The 100-day Campaign will end mid-December.

CareerCenter Moves Ed Upham MDOL has been partnering with the Community College System to co-locate the CareerCenters. Working with Dan Belyea from the Maine Community College System two CareerCenters have relocated to the Community College campuses. The Skowhegan CareerCenter moved to KVCC and last week the Southern Midcoast CareerCenter moved to the Brunswick Landing. The CareerCenter is co-located with Southern Maine Community College. This provides a cost savings and can keep the same services and expand work with the Community College. Dan Belyea stated he sees this as a huge win, very powerful, and its all about partnerships. He stated they want to create seamless pathways for folks.

Legislative Update Adrienne Bennett Adrienne provided legislative updates on bills in the legislature including Bill to increase accessibility of the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP). L.D. 1770 "An Act to Revise Laws Regarding Unemployment that were Amended or Affected by Recently Enacted Legislation". This Bill was vetoed in July but the veto was sustained. Current work is to overturn some provisions of that legislation. The Legislature has adjourned and return in January.

Directors Update Joshua Howe Josh provided an update on the YES Initiative (Youth Employment and the Steps to Success) presented at last meeting. Work permits have increased from last year, from 3,737 to 4,189 this year. Thus far, 30 employers received a small stipend of $400. State Plan/Board Update/Meetings 2019 The modification of the State Plan was approved by USDOL and DOE pending the removal of a 10% penalty for not achieving the 70% training expenditure. This mandated change was made and in August, the State Plan was formally approved by USDOL / DOE without conditions. He stated they still have not applied for the 2018 funding however; they are working with the Local Workforce Boards (LWBs). They hope to hear soon so they will be able to apply for the funding. Board Appointments There are 7 seats which are expiring and there are 2 vacant seats on the Board. One seat was occupied by Tom Davis who recently passed. He noted that Tom served as County Commissioner for more than 15 years. The second seat was occupied by Jeremy Kendall who resigned after leaving Easter Seals. The plan is that once the 2018 funding has been solidified, the Governor will move forward with appointments. State Plan The State Plan work continues. The Steering Team is in the sprocess of developing a statewide referral so everyone will be on the same page and continuing their work on cross-training, accessibility, and licensing new Mainers. 2019 meeting dates 2019 meeting dates were provided. Outlook calendar appointment will be sent to Board members to hold the place in their calendars and should simplify the process of RSVPs. Q & A Representative Ryan Fecteau questioned about why the removal of the penalty was not voted on as the plan was already approved by the Board. Joshua Howe responded that that change (removal of the penalty) was mandated by USDOL and made in order to finalize the approval of the plan and expedite the 2018 funding. Fred Webber reiterated USDOL stated the Plan was approved but with the requirement to remove the 10% penalty. We never went back to re-vote because we wanted to get that funding and did not want to endanger that funding by not meeting deadlines. Richard Freund reiterated that the goal is to finalize the plan and move 2018 funding forward. Governor has requested budgets and implementation plans and wants these finalized before applying for the 2018 funds.

Job Outlook Report 2018 Glenn Mills, Principle Economic Research Analyst, MDOL Glenn Mills provided a PowerPoint presentations and handouts. Presentation focused on current workforce and workforce projections. Maine has the oldest workforce in the nation and is currently experiencing a workforce shortage which is projected to worsen by 2026. Glen discussed sectors which are projected to grow. A copy of Glens presentation is available from the SWB website.

Maine Community College Dan Belyea Dan presented on how the Community Colleges are meeting workforce needs across the state. Currently, they have 17,000 students, with 70% enrolled in the trade and occupational programs. 94% of students are from Maine. 60% of students qualify for the Pell Grant. 36% who attend, work full-time and 50% work 20 hours, and more than 25% have children. The average age is 26 years however; the range in age is teens through the 70s. Since 2003, they have awarded over 30,000 credentials. Dan discussed the role of the Maine Quality Centers as a source for providing employer training. He presented a number of examples including Pratt & Whitney and how 70 people will be receiving their CDL out of Bangor as incumbent training for employers. He stressed the importance of partnerships. David Daigler, MCCS Vice President and CFO stated Dan is putting together short-term programs giving students what they need when they need it and to stay connected. Jeff Sneddon noted how the Community Colleges are trying to help by offering flexible classes such as in the evening and Saturdays.

Securing Maines Future: The Role of Corrections in Developing a Ready Workforce Dept. of Corrections Deputy Commissioner Ryan Thornell and Anna Black and Dept. of Labor Ed Upham and Mary LaFontaine Ryan Thornell presented the Department of Corrections work with the Department of Labor over the last half year. The last 3 years, they have been working with employers on rehabilitating prisoners so they will be put in a better position when they leave custody.
As part of this, 120 stakeholders visited Warren prison to learn about the workforce programs provided while prisoners are incarcerated and the work which is being done to prepare them for release. This includes job skills, remedial and college education, and substance abuse treatment. Adult Basic Education through college is offered at all facilities. The goal is to prepare prisoners for reentry. As part of the event, participants also heard from two employers who are employing pre-release prisoners as well as current and former prisoners.
1,200 prisoners are released every year into the community. 18 months is the average length of stay and 5,000 are on probation supervision. Ed Upham noted one of the challenges is to find substantial housing when the prisoners are released. Joan Dolan stated within the last 6 weeks she has registered 2 prisons as Service Sponsors for Apprenticeship. This is just another layer of job readiness. Karen Fraser stated over many years, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors have worked in prisons because many prisioners have disabilities too.

Other Tracey Cooley Announcements She stated the Younger Workers Committee is seeking an employer representative to participate on the committee. Please contact Tracey to find out more information Job Corps the resident facilities at Limestone and Bangor serve age 16 24 years is looking for students. The Bangor facility has 75% capacity and Limestone is at 50%. She strongly stated they need some concentrated referral from the government or CareerCenters because she is in fear of losing the Loring Center facility due to low enrollments.

Adjourn The regular meeting adjourned at 11:59am.

Next meeting: Friday, November 30, 2018 9:30 Noon Frances Perkins room, Central Maine Commerce Center, 45 Commerce Drive Augusta

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran

Attachments SWB Agenda September, 28, 2018