|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
|
| Roger Hale | Gordon Aanerud |
| Linda Baer (for Morrie Anderson) | Tracy Beckman |
| LaDonna Boyd | Wendy Brower |
| Jerry Carlson | Charles Cutler |
| Wayne DeBruin | Jean Eaton |
| Don Gerdesmeier | Mary Haug |
| Ginny Karbowski | Senator Arlene Lesewski |
| Jennie Lightfoot | David MacKenzie |
| Richard McFarland | Bob Niemiec |
| Michael O'Keefe | David Olson |
| Ernest Owens | Sandra Peterson |
| Dan Smith (for Christine Jax) | Steve Tufenk |
| Earl Wilson | |
| Council Members absent: | Council/Committee Staff present: |
| Morrie Anderson | Kathy Sweeney |
| Bernard Brommer | Jim Korkki |
| Representative Karen Clark | Liz Biel |
| Jan Cuccia | Jeanne Berg |
| Michael Dolan | Bonnie Elsey |
| Rod Haworth | Jack Weidenbach |
| Christine Jax | Mick Coleman |
| Senator Steve Murphy | Jeralyn Jargo |
| Representative Jim Rostberg |
Guests present:
Bev Kontola - Minnesota Department of Economic Security (MDES)
Kathy Nelson - MDES
Howard Glad - MDES
Mary Ellen Novotny - MDES
Paul Bridges - MDES
Dick Davis - MDES
Mary Jacquart - Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU)
Woody Cox - Department of Children, Families & Learning
Stacy Fujii-Lee - Minnesota Painting & Wallcovering Employers Assn.
Wayne Young - City of St. Paul
Yvette Oldendorf - Working Opportunities for Women
Jess Lee - MnSCU
Jon Matala - MDES
Diane Ondrey - Dakota County
Doug Carnival - McGrann, Shea & Carnival
The meeting was called to order by Roger Hale, the Council Chair, at 9:05 AM.
Mr. Hale called on Jean Eaton and David Olson to introduce themselves. Ms. Eaton and Mr. Olson were appointed to the GWDC in July by Governor Ventura but were unable to attend the first meeting of the newly-appointed Council held on August 6. Ms. Eaton is Dean of Riverland Community College in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and David Olson is President of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and former GWDC Chair. Dan Smith was also present at today's meeting representing CFL Commissioner Christine Jax.
Mr. Hale announced that Kathy Sweeney, the MDES staff liaison to the GWDC, was appointed the Chair of the National Association of State Liaisons for Workforce Development Partnerships at the Association's annual summer meeting held in August in Snowbird, Utah. Her term is for two years. The Council members applauded Ms. Sweeney's appointment.
Mr. Hale asked for any changes or additions to the agenda for today's meeting. Mr. Hale proposed one change to the agenda, that item #4, "The 9/14/99 Executive Committee Report/Review of Workforce Investment Act Executive Summary", be moved to the latter part of the meeting under item #6, "Old Business". With that change noted, Mr. Hale called for a motion to approve the agenda for the October 1, 1999 Council meeting. Don Gerdesmeier/LaDonna Boyd moved the Council approve the October 1, 1999 meeting agenda. Motion carried.
Mr. Hale called for a motion to approve the August 6, 1999 Council meeting minutes. LaDonna Boyd/Jennie Lightfoot moved the Council approve the August 6, 1999 Council meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Governor's Mini-Cabinet Report on Workforce Development - Mr. Hale referred the Council to the document entitled "Governor's Workforce Development Framework" (Governor's Mini-Cabinet Report on Workforce Development) that was contained in their meeting packets and was discussed at the 9/14/99 Council's Executive Committee meeting. This framework was announced by Governor Ventura at a press conference on 9/7/99 in Hutchinson. Mr. Hale stated that he felt the document was a good statement and is being referred to around the state. The final report of the mini-cabinet on the workforce shortage issue will be completed in November 1999.
Approval of Local Designation Plan - Mr. Hale called on Jim Korkki for a report on the approval of the Local Designation Plan. Mr. Korkki referred the Council to the 9/7/99 document entitled "Local Designation for the Minnesota Workforce Investment Act Transition Plan" contained in their meeting packets. This material was discussed at the 9/14/99 Council's Executive Committee meeting. Mr. Korkki stated that the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) requires the Governor to designate local Workforce Service Areas for the purpose of administering WIA programs at the local level. This designation is done through consultation with the Governor's Workforce Development Council, with local elected officials and after consideration of public comments. In making designations of the local areas, the Governor must take into consideration several factors which were listed in the local designation document. Mr. Korkki emphasized that this is a local process and that information was mailed out to the local elected officials late last spring. The previous GWDC, at its April 1999 meeting, approved the state's intention to "grandparent" all of the existing 17 Service Delivery Areas if they wished to be designated and to transition them into Workforce Service Areas under WIA. The Council agreed with the state that these service delivery areas had formed the necessary framework in order to effectively deliver services under WIA, and that these designations would be in accordance with the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act.
Mr. Korkki stated that the Council's Executive Committee recommended Council approval/endorsement of the local designation process at their 9/14/99 meeting. Mr. Hale called for a motion for approval of the Executive Committee's recommendation regarding the local designation process. Don Gerdesmeier/LaDonna Boyd moved the Council approve the Executive Committee's recommendation for the continuation of the current workforce geographic areas created under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) as indicated in the "Local Designation for the Minnesota Workforce Investment Act Transition Plan". Motion carried.
Reports from the Chairs of the Council's standing committees were presented.
Lifelong Learning Committee Report (for 9/24/99):
Mr. Hale called on LaDonna Boyd to present the Lifelong Learning Committee
report. Ms. Boyd reported that the committee met on Friday, September
24, 1999, via a conference call. She distributed copies of the committee
meeting/conference call minutes to the full Council for their review.
The committee had discussions regarding the committee's goals, vision
and business plan. The committee also discussed who their customer is,
customer satisfaction, and how to continue with lifelong learning. The
committee determined that it will be focusing on continuous education
after high school and continuous up-to-date knowledge and skills throughout
a worker's lifetime, including: addressing the mismatch between employment
opportunities and post-secondary education programs, etc. Ms. Boyd stated
it was important that the Lifelong Learning Committee work with the Minnesota
Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (MOICC), which works closely
with MDES, CFL and MnSCU, and ISEEK which is an Internet system for education
and employment knowledge. One of the committee's goals is to work closely
with MOICC and ISEEK.
The committee has worked out a schedule of meetings, and the next meeting
is scheduled for October 18 at the World Trade Center in St. Paul.
Mr. Hale commented on his and his family's excellent experience with ISEEK (Minnesota Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge), and he encouraged all the GWDC members to experience the ISEEK computer program. Brochures on ISEEK and MnVU (Minnesota Virtual University) were distributed to the Council for their review. Mr. Hale suggested that the GWDC be "missionaries for" ISEEK and help in getting the word out to business leaders on this excellent resource, and how very user friendly it is. He also indicated he would be speaking with Sandra Peterson of Education Minnesota about presenting the ISEEK information at the MEA Convention in the fall and to encourage all teachers in the state to make use of it. Linda Baer of MnSCU offered to do a demonstration on ISEEK for the GWDC members at a future meeting. Mr. Hale also mentioned the new 2000 Minnesota Careers publication recently released by MDES and that it was also an excellent resource.
Business Development Committee Report (for 9/20/99):
Mr. Hale called on Dick McFarland to present the Business Development
Committee report. Mr. McFarland reported that the committee met on September
20. The committee decided that it will focus on one or two different areas:
(1) represent Minnesota companies; and (2) work on how we can make the
companies grow and prosper. There was discussion on obtaining skills sets
that companies use (from 32 companies) to answer the questions: What are
companies after? What is needed as far as employee skills?
Mr. McFarland stated that much of this information has probably already been put together so it should not be hard to develop. Mr. McFarland and David Olson are contacting company CEO's regarding this. There is also a need to validate the list of skills needed that are in the "Governor's Workforce Development Framework" document. Mr. McFarland reported he has spoken with Duane Benson of the Minnesota Business Partnership. The committee hopes to have this information by December 1, 1999. No further committee meetings have been scheduled at this point.
Workforce Development Committee Report (for 9/24/99):
Mr. Hale called on Wayne DeBruin to present the Workforce Development
Committee report. Mr. DeBruin reported that the committee met on September
24 and he distributed copies of the minutes to the Council. Areas that
the committee identified to work on are: (1) Identifying supply and demand
of essential skills, locating gaps, and developing strategies to fill
these gaps; and (2) identifying efficiencies and recommendations for consolidation,
elimination or enhancement of programs. Staff also lead a discussion regarding
the inventory of employment and training programs as requested by the
Gunther bill and the Mini-Cabinet. The committee's next meeting is scheduled
for October 22 when the committee will review the inventory of employment
and training programs.
Mr. DeBruin stated that there may be some duplication of work by his committee and the Business Development Committee. Mr. Hale followed up by indicating that there are a series of meetings with staff support people assigned to the committees to discuss committee activities and to avoid duplication of efforts by the committees
Self-Sufficiency Committee Report:
Mr. Hale called on Mary Haug to present the Self-Sufficiency Committee
report. Ms. Haug reported that the committee first meeting is scheduled
for October 13. The agenda will include reviewing a charge for the committee,
and discussion of the committee's vision and goals that will dovetail
with the other committees and the overall role of the Council.
Education to Employment Committee:
Mr. Hale called on Dan Smith (CFL) to present the Education to Employment
Committee report. Mr. Smith reported that the committee has not yet met.
The committee plans to hold a conference call on October 14. The committee
will be reviewing a charge for the committee and discussing the committee's
vision and goals.
Presentation and Discussion of Proposed Vision and Goals for
Workforce Development in Minnesota:
Mr. Hale started a discussion of the proposed vision and goals for workforce
development in Minnesota by referring the Council to the "Governor's Workforce
Development Framework" document contained in their meeting packets. Mr.
Hale asked the Council for their comments and input regarding the framework
statement. Comments included the following:
Michael O'Keefe: One strategy that needs to be put on the table is tapping underutilized pools of people/human resources i.e., disabled, economically disadvantaged, etc., to help address the labor shortage we are currently experiencing. This statement needs to be articulated somewhere in the document.
Ernest Owens: Asked which committee Mr. O'Keefe's suggestion would fall under.
Roger Hale/Earl Wilson: Responded to Mr. Owens' comment indicating that it would fall under the Council's Self-Sufficiency Committee.
Senator Arlene Lesewski: Questioned the fast-growing industries and occupational information on page #3 of the framework statement. We need to focus on correcting the problem of low-wage jobs and all the vacancies in those low-wage job areas (nursing home jobs, etc.). This is a critical issue in rural Minnesota.
Tracy Beckman: We need to get the word out that "all jobs" are "important jobs".
Jennie Lightfoot: Child care is another area of low-wage work and needs to be addressed.
Ernest Owens: Suggested a Council policy or statement on pricing and profits in the marketplace.
Roger Hale: In response to Senator Lesewski's comment, he suggested that perhaps the low-wage jobs issue could be dealt with in the Self-Sufficiency Committee.
Mr. Hale continued on with the discussion of the proposed vision and goals for workforce development in Minnesota by referring the Council to his 9/27/99 memo addressed to the GWDC membership regarding vision and goals statements.
Mr. Hale reviewed the contents of his memo with the Council and stated that at the 9/14/99 Executive Committee meeting he indicated that the Council could make a genuine contribution to the workforce development process if the GWDC laid out a vision statement, supported by some goals. Examples of possible vision statements and goals were discussed by the Executive Committee at their 9/14/99 and 10/1/99 meetings. Mr. Hale distributed to Council at today's meeting a draft handout which listed seven possible vision statements that were suggested by the Executive Committee. Mr. Hale asked for the Council's comments and input on the seven vision statements which are attached to these minutes. The comments included the following:
Michael O'Keefe: Need a broader context on economic development. Statements need a broader economic development charter to them.
LaDonna Boyd: Local councils and boards serve employers and job seekers. It is a collaboration.....a joint effort.
Michael O'Keefe: The importance of employers in discussions. A "strong, healthy, functioning economy" needs to be stressed in the vision statement.
Wendy Brower: Like vision statement #4. Suggested placing a colon (:) after the word "Minnesota", and liked the word "leader" that was used.
Roger Hale: Asked the Council if they were comfortable with the idea of having a Council vision statement?
Gordon Aanerud: Stated he liked vision statement #5. Preferred to se the word "world" struck and use "all" in place of it.
Dan Smith: Place a period after the word "prosper" in vision statement #5.
Gordon Aanerud: Suggested that the word "prosper" be scratched in vision statement #5.
With the conclusion of the comments, Mr. Hale had staff distribute paper to Council membership and asked each member to vote on their preference for a Council vision statement. The votes were collected and counted by staff. Mr. Hale reported that there was a strong consensus (17 votes) for vision statement #5 which read: "Minnesota: Where employers and skilled workers jointly prosper in world markets.-with the recommendation that the vision statement end with a period after the word "prosper" and deleting the words "in world markets".
Mr. Hale suggested the Council go with vision statement #5 with the modification made above. The Council's official vision statement would then read: "Minnesota: Where employers and skilled workers jointly prosper."
Mr. Hale then referred the Council members to the exhibits of Council goals which were included with his 9/27/99 memo. He asked for the Council's input and comments regarding the goals. Comments included the following:
Dick McFarland: Goal statements should be as simple as possible followed by a measurement of some sort.
Bob Niemiec: Suggested that each committee of the Council settle on one of the goals that Mr. Hale and the Executive Committee have suggested.
Ernest Owens: Suggested that the Council's committees pick the goal(s) they are working toward.
Roger Hale: There seemed to be some consensus among the Council members to keep the Council's goals simple and clear and have each of the committees work on a goal. In other words, there should be a primary goal for each committee and, if possible, get a specific measurement (or is there a measure, i.e., low unemployment rate, etc.). Some measurement of how each committee knows they have been successful in meeting their chosen goal(s).
Michael O'Keefe: Suggested treating goals as the beginning point in the Council's process. Said to ask each of the committees to start with the entire set of goals suggested by Mr. Hale and the Executive Committee and use as a starting point exhibits 'B' and 'C'.
Linda Baer (MnSCU): Suggested a goal of "working together in this process."
Roger Hale: Agreed that we have to work cooperatively....and that is assumed.
Dick McFarland: Suggested that the Governor's mini-cabinet make some suggestion(s) about what the goals of the GWDC ought to be, and that it be one of items for discussion at the next mini-cabinet meeting.
Sandra Peterson: Indicators need to be developed by the committees as they work through the process.
Mr. Hale concluded the discussion on Council goals by stating that he liked Michael O'Keefe's idea, and he asked that each of the committee chairs take the set of goals suggested by the Executive Committee as a starting point (and that there may be some lower starting goals) and to include some measurement with each goal. Mr. Hale's last comment about goals was that they will be discussed further at the next Council meeting scheduled for February 11, 1999. The Council's goals are still considered "work in progress" at this point.
(A copy of Mr. Hale's 9/27/99 memo addressed to the GWDC, with the suggested exhibits of goals and vision statement information, is attached to these minutes.)
As background, Ms. Novotny reported that in August of 1998 WIA became law. The WIA rewrites current federal statutes governing programs of job training, adult education and literacy and vocational rehabilitation, replacing them with streamlined and more flexible workforce development systems. In May 1999 over 100 members of the workforce development community were brought together to form five committees to develop an implementation plan for WIA in Minnesota. Over 40 meetings of the committees have been held. This plan contains two parts: (1) a "Transition Plan" which explains the components that are in existence; and (2) a "Unified Plan" that explains what visions Minnesota has for workforce development, and how it plans to achieve them. The five committees have developed the WIA Transitional Plan. MDES has a web site established for comments on Minnesota's WIA state plan and notice of the Transitional Plan has been posted in the State Register also.
Ms. Novotny responded to the Council's questions and comments concerning the WIA state plan. Council members' comments included the following:
Roger Hale: What is the Council's role with the WIA state plan? Is it is realistic for the Council members to wade through the entire state plan document? And if so, how do we relate to that plan?
Earl Wilson: Recommended a process that as MDES continues to develop the state plan, staff give briefing updates from time-to-time for Council to keep the Council informed.
Michael O'Keefe: Extract the strategic elements of the state plan and share them with the Council, i.e., areas where the Council should be informed of major policy issues, etc.
Senator Arlene Lesewski: Expressed a lot of confidence in MDES staff and Commissioner Wilson and the work being done on the state plan. It will be good to have staff report back periodically to Council on the state plan and present periodic briefings.
Ginny Karbowski: Input from the committees should be included in the state plan.
Ernest Owens: Provide the Council with information on larger policies.
Bob Niemiec: Asked about public comment time. (Mary Ellen Novotny stated that the comment time for the transitional plan was over on October 19, 1999.)
Bob Niemiec: I serve on both on GWDC and the State Rehabilitation Council, and it is important that both councils have input into Minnesota's WIA state plan.
Linda Baer: The strategic priorities from the state plan ought to be pulled out and shared with the Council. This would be helpful.
Roger Hale: Liked Linda Baer's suggestion. Would like to see synthesized strategic summary of state plan be sent out to the GWDC membership from time to time for review.
Earl Wilson: The WIA state plan material is posted on the MDES web site for the GWDC and others to review. Hard copies can also be provided to the Council if needed.
Mary Ellen Novotny clarified that the Minnesota's WIA state plan is a culmination of input from the Governor's mini-cabinet, the GWDC, etc.
In concluding the discussion on Minnesota's WIA state plan, Mr. Hale stated that the Council's next meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2000 and that Minnesota's WIA state plan will be a main agenda item. Ms. Novotny responded that the Council needs to go on record regarding the approval for the submittal of Minnesota's WIA transitional plan and that MDES staff cannot wait til the February Council meeting for this action to take place.
Mr. Hale asked what the key strategies and policies that are being suggested in the state plan and are they in harmony with the GWDC's work. He asked Kathy Sweeney to set up a time table that is realistic with Minnesota's WIA state plan and the submission of it.
Mr. Hale called for a motion giving Council approval of the Executive Committee's recommendation that MDES proceed with the submission of Minnesota's WIA Transitional Plan to the U. S. Department of Labor in October 1999. Ernest Owens/Don Gerdesmeier moved that the Council approve the Executive Committee's recommendation that the Minnesota Department of Economic Security (MDES) proceed with submission of Minnesota's WIA Transitional Plan to the U. S. Department of Labor in October 1999.
Discussion on Local Councils/Boards:
Mr. Hale held a Council discussion regarding local councils and their
relationship with the GWDC. He asked what the relationship with the GWDC
ought to be with the local councils? Mr. Hale called on the GWDC members
who represented local councils for their comments and input. The comments
included the following:
LaDonna Boyd (Dakota County Workforce Council): It is up to the GWDC to set the overall vision. The local council looks for direction from the GWDC on education, training, etc. The local council needs the goals and vision from the GWDC.
Wayne DeBruin (Southeastern Minnesota Private Industry Council): The local councils could use help with collaboration.....pushing the collaboration of all the agencies. Regarding Private Industry Council (PIC) membership, the Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC ) feels they are being left out of the PIC's. PIC's need to open up their doors. The Private Industry Council's responsibilities come from the County Commissioners with dollars flowing through various programs.
Gordon Aanerud (local elected official from Northeastern Minnesota): Need to be making some changes to foster more cooperation. Congratulated Commissioner Earl Wilson on the establishment of the one-stop Workforce Centers throughout Minnesota and said that MDES is ahead of the game with the Workforce Centers.
As a model of collaboration, Gordon Aanerud had Kathy Sweeney distribute to the Council copies of the final report on the Regional Workforce and Economic Development Summit held in Duluth on 7/22/99 which Kathy Sweeney, Roger Hale and Jennie Lightfoot attended. Mr. Aanerud stated the goal of the Summit was to bring together leaders from business, education, labor, and government. The co-sponsors sought to engage employers in a discussion of: (1) their vision of the future direction of existing and emerging industries and the implications for workforce development; (2) their vision of opportunities to strengthen our workforce to meet future needs and attract new business and industry; and (3) opportunities for public/private partnerships. The information gathered, and summarized in the final report, is being used by the Duluth-Hermantown School-to-Work Partnership to develop strategies for systemic change in the educational system, the Duluth Workforce Council to inform the future direction of employment services offered to job seekers and employers in the Duluth Workforce Center, and by Team Duluth to develop a workforce action plan that will sustain economic development initiatives.
Kathy Sweeney also distributed to the Council for their information a 9/27/99 draft handout entitled "The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and The Role of Local Workforce Councils in Minnesota". There were further comments regarding the role of the local councils and their relationship with the GWDC, and they included the following:
Earl Wilson: Under the former Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) the role of the local councils was narrowly focused and they only monitored local programs. With the new Workforce Investment Act (WIA), there will be a more encompassing partnership with Rehabilitation Services, Employment and Training agencies, etc., not just the JTPA elements. Local Councils will provide more strategic thinking and be more global on workforce development issues. It would be good to have MDES sponsor a conference on local councils.
Ginny Karbowski (Anoka County Workforce Development Council): It is the communications link between the GWDC and local councils that is so very important....need to "get on the same page." Currently the local councils have more to do with planning and operations.
Roger Hale: There are two challenges that face the GWDC and the local
councils:
(1) coordination; and (2) communication. I agree with Earl Wilson's suggestion
for a conference or training session for local councils and PICs to discuss
local trends, etc. similar to the recent Duluth Summit that Mr. Aanerud
spoke about earlier today. We also need to look at developing the overall
guidance and goals of the GWDC and local councils so we can work together
and help facilitate the communications with the local boards and PICs
throughout Minnesota.
Michael O'Keefe: It is important to obtain some reaction from the local councils on the GWDC's goals.
Jennie Lightfoot: I also attended the Duluth Summit and was very impressed with it. It was a wonderful learning experience. There were many employers present. The topic of untapped human resources was one of the topics covered. Also the problems and issues facing out-state Minnesota as opposed to the metropolitan area were focused on.
Mr. Hale concluded the discussion on local councils/boards by indicating that one of the GWDC's challenges is the relationship between the GWDC and local councils. He stressed that this challenge is very important, and we need to keep working on it. Also, the GWDC's committees need to keep the local councils in mind as they proceed ahead with their work.
David Olson asked Mr. Hale which committee would be reviewing the dislocated worker proposals and projects. Jim Korkki responded for Mr. Hale by indicating that review and recommendations of projects will be done internally by MDES, and routine updates will be provided to the GWDC on dislocated worker project outcomes.
Mr. Hale stated that the Council's next meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 11, 2000, at 9 AM, at the Veterans Service Building (conference room 'B', fifth floor) in St. Paul. The meeting was adjourned by Mr. Hale at 11:30 AM.
