Meeting Minutes from January 22, 2010
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Friday, January 22, 2010
7:30 A.M.
Lancaster Lebanon IU # 13
Present:
James Black, Dr. Brian Barnhart, John Biemiller, Barry David, Mark Esterbrook, Steve Fries, Carlos Graupera, Christine Hertneky, Eric Horn, Linda Kreider, Sharon Leese, Craig Lehman, Maureen Lewandowski, Mary Miskey, William Moulfair, Robert Rhoads, Fran Rodriguez, Joe Shiffer, Aimee Urban, Jill Welch,
Not Present:
Gilbert Abney, Tom Baldrige, Barry Brandt, Jacqueline Burch, Michelle Chronister, Jerry Eshleman, Jim Germak, Stephen Grosh, Donald F. Johnson, Jr., John Levitski, Jean Martin, Matt Ohlinger, Todd Shultz, Mike Sturla, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
Mirna Alvarado, Yani Serrano
Staff:
Andrew Garner, Joyce Lenox, Kim Sullenberger, Rod Kopp, Lori Rank, Scott Sheely
Call to Order
Jim Black, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:41 am, welcomed everyone and asked attendees to introduce themselves.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes - November 19, 2009
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from Fran Rodriguez and second from Mark Esterbrook.
Order of the Day
Review of Industry Partnership and Centers of Excellence Programs for 2009-2010
Scott Sheely presented information on the Industry Partnership Training Project. Funding comes from the State budget and must be requested and approved annually. The program requires employers to match funding for incumbent worker training with a 40% cash contribution paid by the company and 60% paid by grant. This year, the budget allows for $9.2 million statewide compared to $18 million two years ago with comparable cuts in the Lancaster grant allocation from $1.6 million to just under $1 million this year
To address the budget cuts, we have organized our eight industry partnership training projects (health care, construction, agriculture, food, metals, plastics, printing, and industrial maintenance) into five Centers of Excellence...Production Agriculture, Packaging Operations, Long-Term Care Practice, Renewable Energy, and Manufacturing. The Centers are a project of Lancaster Prospers and have a broader mission that extends beyond incumbent worker training and which includes local research and development, technology transfer, entrepreneurial development, and the development of the school to work pipeline.
Much of this programming has now been linked back to the PA CareerLink through the pre-employment training being offered. Basic skills and foundation skills are addressed through the Ready2Work program which is required before training. With this training, employees are better prepared to start work immediately with skills that employers need. Most of this training has been opened up to dislocated workers using stimulus funding to reskill them for new jobs.
Over 350 employers are part of this system and over 3500 incumbent workers are trained each year. Employers are sharing best practice ideas and solving problem as an industry in the local economy which makes each company more competitive in the global marketplace.
Items for Discussion
Update on Youth Activities
Andrew Garner reported the WIB was one of 13 Young Parent Demonstration Grants awarded nationwide by the US Department of Labor. A steering committee has been established countywide with representatives from youth-serving organizations. Paid internships will be available to the participants upon completion of pre-employment training and Ready2Work programs at the PA CareerLink.
Andrew Garner and Scott Sheely also reported that the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center received a grant to put more folks who have dropped out of high school into career and technical education through June 2011.
Update of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation
Kim Sullenberger reported all of the ARRA Adult and Dislocated worker money has been spent. The Youth will be spent by March with the completion of the Winter Work Program. The Lancaster WIB is one of 3-4 in the state that is fully expended. There may be more funding coming for another summer work program. Since the stimulus money has been spent the PA CareerLink and Lancaster Employment and Training Agency is shifting its focus from training to placements for clients going through the training.
Items for Approval
ARRA Reporting for December 2009
Rod Kopp reviewed the ARRA Report for December 2009. Rapid Response funds have increased to $1,525, 000 with additional funding being received. A small Regional Career Education Program grant for $60,000 will also be awarded from stimulus funds.
Approval of the December, 2009 ARRA Report on motion by Dr. Brian Barnhart and second by Mary Miskey.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp reviewed the Financial Report for July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. The Career Advancement Account had critical barriers removed with waivers recently. He will be moving clients from adult WIA to this grant to use it up. EARN is 45% expended which is the highest it has been spent in awhile. The WIB is 8% over budget but this is connected to the large amount of annual expenditures that happen early in the fiscal year. Rod reported there have been 366 ITAs so far this year by far the highest amount ever. These obligations go into 2010. Our major concern right now is for next year and how to sustain the level of programming or adjust it to a level which is justified by the funding.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported:
- The Board has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to partner with SACA for new services.
- The Workforce Investment Board is waiting to hear on a $5 million dollar grant from the USDOL for a statewide mechanics program in PA.
- In Washington, the US Department of Labor is in the midst of reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act in conjunction with the TANF Act.
- The Workforce Summit in December was very informative. Three speakers that went through the training spoke about the Reentry Management Organization Program. Although they spoke highly about the training, jobs are very hard to come by right now. The need for supplies for babies has surfaced by one of the speakers who said "I can build you a house but I can't buy baby wipes for my newborn child". Faith-based organizations will be contacted to help fill this need for the unemployed.
- The WIB in partnership with the Chamber and Economic Development Corporation will be sponsoring a Job Summit at the Eden Resort Inn on March 10, 2010. This will be for private sector employers to help identify what is needed for companies to start adding workforce and grow jobs in Lancaster County.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
