Workforce Development Board MINUTES Friday, March 16th, 2018 7:30-9:00 a.m. Conference Room 520 Northern Service Center, West St. Paul Board Members: Corinne Shepherd, Chair; Ann Glaves, Vice Chair; Cathy Weik; Steve Ditschler; Gail Morrison; Jenni Faulkner; Mike Yanda; Rich Wagner; Jack Phillips; Mark Lofthus; John Christiansen; Pam Oeffler; Vance Boelter; Claire Giancola-Belmares; Gloria Fatze; Jennifer Hauschildt; Barb Dahl; Doug Suchanek; Marcus Thomas; Steve Buck; Leah Gajria; Eric Lind; Glenn Starfield; Tim Grimm; Jennifer Harmening; Commissioner Gerlach; Commissioner Beer. ATTENDANCE Present: Corinne Shepherd, Chair; Ann Glaves, Vice Chair; Barb Dahl, Cathy Weik, Claire Giancola- Belmares, Eric Lind, Jack Phillips, Jenni Faulkner, Jennifer Harmening, Jennifer Hauschildt, John Christiansen, Mark Lofthus, Pam Oeffler, Rich Wagner, Steve Buck, Steve Ditschler, Tim Grimm, Vance Boelter, Commissioner Gerlach Audience: Mark Jacobs, Amber Higgins, Jill Pittelkow, Jean Sinell, Chad Sheets, Heidi Corcoran, Gary Pressley, Leah McNamee, Justin DeVantier Call to Order Corinne Shepherd called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m. Approval of the February 16, 2018 BOARD MINUTES; MOTION to approve the Minutes made by Jenni Faulkner; SECOND; Rich Wagner (M/S/P). Spotlight Speaker Ann Glaves This is her last WDB meeting. She is moving to Sarasota, Florida with her husband and father. When she and her husband began looking for jobs in Florida they focused on their same career fields, however many positions were only open to local residents. As a result, they are both changing careers. Ann will be working in real estate and her husband with Edward Jones. She began working for St. Francis 12 years ago at which time she also joined the Workforce Board. The Youth Committee and Vice Chair role were highlights during her time. Executive Committee Corinne Shepherd Membership MOTION to recommend Chad Sheets appointment to the Dakota Scott Workforce Development Board. Motion made by Corinne Shepherd; SECOND Vance Boelter; (M/S/P). Background: Sheets is Dean of Customized Training and Continuing Education at Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College. He will fill an education public sector opening. SNAP funding MOTION to accept Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) additional funding for SNAP E&T: o Accept the funding of $55,987 program funds and $304 support services funds for Dakota County. o Accept the funding of $29,919 program funds and $163 support services funds for Scott County. Motion made by Corinne Shepherd; SECOND Cathy Weik; (M/S/P). Abstaining: Barb Dahl. Background: The MN Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - 1 -
Employment and Training (E&T) is federally funded. The program will run from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Initial funding for Dakota County was $43,874 program funds and $2,320 support service funds. Initial funding for Scott County was $12,081 program funds and $668 support service funds. The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) Conference is happening in March. Some WDB members will be attending. Evaluation Committee Ann Glaves Committee did not meet. Community Relations Committee Jack Phillips Eye on the Future March trucking industry, panel discussion April Allison Liuzzi, demographics and projections Seeking ideas for May, June, and August A future meeting may be held on location at CHS Legislative visits Three dates scheduled (information distributed) Meetings typically run 15-20 minutes WDB members are encouraged to participate The Workforce Summit will be held the end of September at the Best Western in Burnsville. Seeking recommendations for new vice chair to replace Ann Glaves. By-law changes related to WIOA will be forthcoming. Business Services Mark Lofthus Workforce Summit background The Employers of Excellence awards began 2 years ago to identify outstanding area employers/companies. The first Workforce Summit was held last year. The Employers of Excellence awards are now wrapped into the Workforce Summit event. This year, round tables will replace panel discussions. The Workforce Summit is tentatively set for the 25 th, 26 th, or 27 th of September. Homework The Millennial Generation: A Demographic Bridge to America s Diverse Future o Millennials are demographically diverse o 44% minority population o The millennial generation is larger than baby boomers o Described as a bridge to diverse populations o More educated than previous generations o Carry more debt and are slower getting into marriage, children, and home ownership o Millennials, particularly the Hispanic population, are more optimistic that they will do better than their parents o Older generations many not be training the younger generations as well o Must develop new ways to engage and train the millennial generation One Stop Management Committee Jenni Faulkner Program successes and challenges Avivo In February, 67% of Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) clients found employment. Due to the good economy, many clients who begin training are not finishing because they find employment. Upcoming statewide mystery shoppers will be visiting WorkForce Centers. WDB members are invited/encouraged to take part. Due to low traffic volumes, Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College (South of the River) chose not to renew their lease in Burnsville. - 2 -
Youth Committee John Christiansen The Youth Committee met at Dakota County Technical College for a presentation for the Minnesota Transportation Center of Excellence. A tour of the Transportation Learning Trailer followed the meeting. The trailer has been used at job fairs and school events. Scott County, Tree Trust, and HIRED provided updates. Summer planning is happening. Revisions to Traitify are still happening. Should be available soon. Two applications were submitted for Community Development Block Grant funding which would be used to enhance Dakota County WIOA Youth Program Services and support the Library Internship Program. Unified Local Youth Plan MOTION to approve submission of the Unified Local Youth Plan with changes to budget pages upon release of funding. Motion made by John Christiansen; SECOND Steve Buck; (M/S/P). Abstaining: Barb Dahl. Background: Submitting the plan to DEED is an annual requirement. Budget info is not included as the allocations for the Minnesota Youth Program (state) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA - federal) aren t yet available. DEED requires the plan narrative by April 13. Pre-Employment Transition Services RFP Wagner The 4 county metro area is underserved. A previous RFP resulted in no applications from the Dakota-Scott area. A new RFP was recently issued. Dakota County and Scott County service providers are encouraged to apply (community education and other local education agencies, county departments, etc.). Employment for People with Disabilities Steve Ditschler The committee has 3 employers which is a significant value-addd.. County updates Dakota County is initiating a Lyft pilot project modeled after successful projects happening in other states. The majority of people with disabilities do not drive. The pilot will provide rides for workers with disabilities (to and from work). Some companies are modifying vehicles to accommodate workers with disabilities. Potentially, a person with a disability could be a driver for Lyft. Boelter Obtaining data by age, geographic area, etc. Discussing ways to help those who are categorized. Homework will replace the April meeting. Dakota County Commissioner Report Commissioner Gerlach Vikings facility in Eagan Partnership with Twin Cities Orthopedics Increasing development in the area which will also increase employment opportunities There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and festivities Potential site for an upcoming WDB meeting Loftus SMART (Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response Training) Center Focused on public safety in response to an increase in crisis calls $13 million project Dakota County has funded half that amount The facility would house training space for law enforcement and other first responders (Task Force, Crisis Intervention, and more) Development of the SMART Center is moving along quickly Scott County Commissioner Report Commissioner Wolf There are more people in jail than there are farmers. Scott County building addition is in the works. The unemployment rate is low and wages are going up. A large number of road projects will be happening in the next 3 years. Other Updates - 3 -
The Governor s Workforce Development Board Ditschler 2 years into 4 year state plan. Working on plan amendments open to feedback through March 23 rd. The deadline for submission is April 2 nd. o Gender equality not prioritized; however, it may be woven in. o Plan vision; provide greater opportunities for those experiencing barriers to employment. o Plan goals; reduce educational and employment disparities and build industry/sector partnerships. Eye on the Future The Trucking Industry and Driver Shortage Gary Pressley, President of Heavy Metal Trucking Training Justin DeVantier, Director of Human Resources at Total Logistics, Inc. Jack Philips introduced Gary Pressley and Justin DeVantier and provided an overview of their organizations. Pressley and DeVantier participated in panel discussion to present information relative to the trucking industry. Information included: Heavy Metal Trucking Training: Located in Eagan The main training program is 4 weeks, 160 hours Tuition is $4995 500 students per year graduate 90%+ job placement 96%+ graduation rate Funding levels (WIOA and other funding sources) have decreased 60-80% in the last 2 years Relying more on business sponsorships/partnerships 3 locations closed last year due to reduced funding Need support for full WIOA funding in upcoming years Need for more funded programming for unemployed Total Logistics, Inc.: Dedicated Logistics, Inc., was founded 23 years ago (transportation/trucking branch) 574 trucks Located in 8 states Area locations include Plymouth, MN and Hudson, WI 75% movement of goods is done by trucks Challenge there is a shortage of drivers Many are retiring Lack of military/veteran drivers There are more jobs than they can fill Offering $10,000 sign-on bonus to help entice new drivers Electronic logs are used to track deliveries lots of technology is used in the industry Dual information: Age requirement is 21 Lose 18-20 year olds to other industries Drivers must be 21 to drive interstate Freight from one state to another is considered interstate freight First year salaries are typically between $42-$48K High return on training investment Drivers are recognizing their worth and seeking hirer wages Need help with outreach and recruitment to engage new truck drivers The industry lacks outreach to minorities and women There are many Somali drivers in the Plymouth area Criminal history accepted with some restrictions - 4 -
Truck drivers can relocate anywhere Recruitment strategies Sign-on bonuses Sponsored training Open rider policies (family, friends, pets, etc.) By 2022 all truck drivers must receive training at a Nationally Registered School MN has no CDL training requirements Unknown if military time will account for training Driverless vehicles (autonomous vehicles) Not predicted for the near future There may never be a driverless vehicle drivers may transition to operators If they don t have people trained to operate them, companies won t buy them Cyber technology and hacking concerns will need to be addressed Weather and infrastructure propose challenges Questions and discussion from WDB members followed. Meeting was adjourned at 9:02 a.m. - 5 -