Meeting Minutes from January 15, 2009
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, January 15, 2009
7:30 a.m.
CareerLink Annex
Present:
Dr. Brian Barnhart, James Black, Jacqueline Burch, Dr. Robert Frick, Steve Fries, Carlos Graupera, Stephen Grosh, Eric Horn, Donald F. Johnson Jr., Linda Kreider, Sharon Leese, Judy Naylor, Matt Ohlinger, Todd Shultz, Michelle Snavely, Mark Sprunger, Aimee Urban, Jill Welch, Tom Woronko,
Not Present:
Gilbert Abney, Tom Baldrige, John Biemiller, Barry Brandt, Barry David, Jerry Eshleman, Mark Esterbrook, Jim Germak, Christine Hertneky, Craig Lehman, John Levitski, Maureen Lewandowski, Jean Martin, Mary Miskey, Marysol Ortiz, Robert Rhoads, Mike Sturla, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
Mirna Alvarado, Timothy Bianchi, Louise Brown, Alicia Brownell, Derrick Burch, Mark Moosic, J. Allen Taylor, Bea Landis, Yanni Serrano
Staff:
Joyce Lenox, Rod Kopp, Lori Rank, Kim Sullenberger, Andrew Garner
Call to Order
Jim Black, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:39 am, welcomed everyone and asked attendees to introduce themselves. Aimee Urban also invited anyone interested to Women Career Day on 3/3/09 at E-Town College from 8 am - 2:30 pm.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes - November 20, 2008
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from Jill Welch and second from Mark Sprunger.
Order of the Day
An Update on Recruiting for the Convention Center
Kim Sullenberger and Lori Rank brought the Board up to date on the activity and numbers of customers that have been seen on the Convention Center recruitment events. Details are on the paper in the packet from the meeting. Lori Rank reported on the Ready2work programming that has been offered in the community. The orientation sessions conducted by the PA CareerLink and the Convention Center have averaged over 300 per session. Many people have registered for the Ready2Work program. Additional classes are being added. Graduates will be referred to companies with openings regard less of the industry involved.
J. Allen Taylor reported the hiring for the Convention Center will be diverse with women and minorities given equal opportunity. Many organizations knew each other but never really knew what each was doing. Through this recruitment process, organizations have worked together with PA CareerLink satellite offices being established for training. Community-based organizations are assisting the workforce system in providing the Convention Center with diverse talent.
Mark Moosic reviewed how the Lancaster Convention Center came to the decision to use the PA CareerLink for hiring. He spoke about the resources and training being used at the PA CareerLink and how they mesh with the hiring processes at the Convention Center. Mark Moosic also talked about how Ready2Work graduates will be given special access as prospective employees are screened.
Mirna Alvarado from SACA spoke about the Ready2Work program at SACA. She mentioned SACA is expanding into another location due to lack of space as of March 1, 2009. Many families from New York and New Jersey are coming into the area and making use of the facilities and programs. There were 272 registered from the Convention Center orientations.
Derrick Burch from Inter City Group reported the Ready2Work program has been taken into the community to Urban League, Crispus Attacks, Neighborhood Services, Puerto Rico Cultural Center and SACA. CAP is handling day care availability in preparation of the April 21 opening of the Convention Center.
After the Convention Center Hiring
Kim Sullenberger reported 1300 people have come to the orientations. Some will get jobs at the Convention Center but others will need additional training to prepare for jobs when the economy recovers. She informed everyone of the training that is now being done and opened discussion about other training that is needed for other occupations. The issue of literacy has been a big obstacle for training many people. Discussion was also opened on how the Business Services Team can better serve employers and about how communications about current job openings can be accomplished.
Items for Discussion
Budget Update
Rod Kopp reported the money for the IPT grants is now available. The WIB is moving ahead as if we are going to get all of the funding; training is being scheduled. Money can be moved around as needed if something would change. With the new Corporate Center, a budget amendment will be needed to revise spending.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp presented the December 2008 Financial Report. The WIB is off to a great start with 80% obligated. The state is urging spending the funds and having little carryover to the next year. WIA is 23% above spending over last year with ITA's being 83% expended. As of December 17, individual training accounts have been shut down so as to not be over obligated. EARN is 46% expended. WIB is over budget due to more space rental and intern time due to increased numbers being seen in the CareerLink.
Youth Coordinator
Andrew Garner reported that the Youth Career Summit is being held January 29, 2009 connecting schools and employers. PA Career Standards in education, job shadowing, mentoring and career explorations are the topics for the Summit. Donnelley's model of take your son/daughter to work day is being showcased for other employers as activities that can be done to get information out to school age youths. Job Shadowing Week is being held in April with employers being asked to host students for one day. Last year, 435 students were involved. Business/education partnerships are being formed to match employers with schools to provide education and mentoring to students. This year, Summer Career Camps will focus on STEM with HACC, Millersville, CTC and SDOL along with others collaborating on ideas, registration, advertising and such.
Executive Director
Kim Sullenberger reported for Scott Sheely...
- Kim Sullenberger and Scott Sheely are involved with the USDOL working with Colorado and North Carolina on the State and local levels in industry partnership planning, education, and economic development.
- Scott is in Las Vegas at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Network of Sector Partners and is not in attendance today.
- WGAL is featuring the WIB and PA CareerLink on an Economy 2009 series.
- The CTC has applied to the USDA for a $94,000 grant for the community kitchen project at the Mt Joy CTC to buy equipment for renting of the kitchen on off hours to develop products, cooking and packaging.
- The WIB is preparing for the stimulus package. Information will be coming in future Board meetings. There is potential for lots of dollars to come over the months ahead.
- Kim also reported there are a number of volunteer teachers and mentors helping out in the PA CareerLink and extra help is welcomed.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
