 |
|
TEXT ONLY | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
St. Peters Hospital - Conference Rooms 1, 2, 3 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Haley Beaudry, Chairman, Emerald Engineers, Butte; Becky Erickson, Vice-Chairperson, Sam's Supper Club, Glasgow; Christina Boyle, Frontline Processing Corporation, Bozeman; Carol Brooker, Sanders County Commission, Thompson Falls; Caroline Brown, Tribal Business Information, Harlem; Webb Brown, Montana Chamber of Commerce, Helena; Bill Case, Anaconda Job Corps Center, Anaconda; Susan Christofferson, The Nurturing Center, Kalispell; Vicki Cochiarella, Senator, Missoula; Dick Crofts, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, Helena; Jim Davison, Anaconda Local Development, Anaconda; Jerry Driscoll, AFL-CIO, Helena; Ellen Engstedt, Montana Wood Products, Helena; George Erickson, Montana-Idaho Green Thumb, Great Falls; Bryan Flake, ASIMI, Butte; David Gibson, Office of Economic Opportunity, Helena; Gail Gray,Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena; Lew Grill, The SAGE Corporation, Billings; Diane Harkins, PPL Montana, Billings; Cary Hegreberg, Montana Contractor's Association, Helena; Verdell Jackson,Representative, Kalispell; Wendy Keating,Department of Labor and Industry, Helena; Dennis Lerum, Missoula College of Technology, Missoula; Sharon Liederman, REO, Helena; Linda McCulloch, Office of Public Instruction, Helena; Scott Mendenhall, Jefferson County Extension Office, Whitehall; John Musgrove,Representative, Havre; Jon Oldenburg, Jon A. Oldenburg Attorney at Law, Lewistown; Lyle Phillips, Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, Columbia Falls; Diane Ruff,Associated Employers of Montana, Billings BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Leroy Bingham, Tribal Planning Service, Billings - Absent; Dick Brown, Montana Hospital Association, Helena - Absent; Bill Crismore, Senator, Libby - Absent; Jim Hollenback, LAS, Superior - Absent; Susan Knedler, Hi Heat Industries, Lewistown - Absent; Chuck Olson, James A. Talcott Construction, Great Falls - Absent; Byron Roberts, Montana Building Industry Association, Helena - Absent; Jeff Rupp, Bozeman District IX HRDC, Bozeman - Absent; Jim Swan,RJS & Associates Incorporated, Box Elder - Absent; Gary Willis, Shodair Hospital, Helena - Absent STAFF: Desiree Taggart, Workforce Development Officer; Larry Good, Facilitator; Emily Haines, Recorder GUESTS: Roy Jones, Lewistown Job Service Workforce Center; Brenda Hipp, Butte Job Service Workforce Center; Leighanne Fogerty, Butte One-Stop Liaison; Michelle Vincent, Butte Job Service Workforce Center; Mary Berg, Career Futures; Bob Henry, District XII HRDC; Tom Hayes, Montana Job Training Partnership Incorporated; Jody Messinger, Office of Public Instruction; Darla Joyner, Career Transitions; Alan Hearn, Golden Ratio; Joe Matthews, Montana Vocational Rehabilitation; Ward Stiles, Workforce Services Division, DLI; Roberta Sutherland, Chippewa Cree Tribe; Janet Drexel, Fifth Avenue Advertising; Ingrid Childress, Workforce Services Division, DLI; Wolfgang Ametsbichler, Missoula Job Service Workforce Center; Jonna Parker, Chippewa Cree Tribe; Tim Kennedy, LTI; Bob Simoneau, Workforce Services Division, DLI; Arlene Parisot, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education; Becky Bud, Office of Public Instruction; Debbie Krantz, Department of Labor and Industry; Mike Shoquist, Flathead Job Service Workforce Center; Mark Bowlds, Workforce Services Division, DLI; Connie Kinsey, Workforce Services Division, DLI; David Morey, Montana AFL-CIO; Tami Jo Ruether-Affir, Montana Contractor's Association; Connie Roope, CTI/BRC; Colleen Callahan, Montana Chamber of Commerce; Sylvia Belgrade, Workforce Investment Act; Norma Boetel, Balance of State I. CALL TO ORDER - WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS & CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS: Chairman, Haley Beaudry called the meeting to order at 10:35 am. Governor's Workforce Investment Board members introduced themselves and explained why they accepted the Governor's invitation to sit on the board. Emily Haines took role call. II. GOVERNOR'S REMARKS: Governor Martz, Thank you for your willingness to serve on this important board. As you know, this board replaces the Job Training Partnership Act State Board, and although many of you are new, many of you also have prior experience serving on the previous job training board. I would also like to thank Haley Beaudry, who will serve as board chair, and Becky Erickson, who will serve in the capacity of vice-chair. Economic development is the cornerstone of our administration's initiatives. Just last week, we unveiled our Framework For Economic Development, outlining priority areas where government can have an impact on private sector initiatives. Government cannot, should not, and, under my watch, will not replace private sector job creation. But, government has a vital role to play in ensuring that the environment is conducive to job creation. And a key piece of that environment is top quality workforce training programs. As I've traveled throughout the state, meeting with businesses in Montana, and those interested in locating here, it is clear that a strong, responsive workforce-training program is essential to retaining existing businesses and recruiting new ones. Without highly skilled and highly qualified workers, Montana simply cannot compete in the global economy.That is why your role on this board is so essential to our economic development efforts. The commitment of individuals like you is what makes our state's government strong. It is my hope that you will provide insight and guidance as we work to develop sound public policy on workforce issues in relation to our economic development goals. With the implementation of Workforce Investment Act programs in local communities, your input is critically important. You, as private sector representatives on this board, have the unique opportunity to make further improvements to the state's workforce training system. Some of the programs we operate provide enormous opportunities for people seeking workforce-training services. Others need improvement in order to be effective in today's global economy. I know that many of you have already met Desiree Taggart, who serves as our Workforce Development Specialist for the Office of Economic Opportunity. It is our hope that the ideas you bring forward will coordinate with and improve upon the activities that are being undertaken by that office in relation to workforce development. Desiree will provide the link between your initiatives and the Economic Opportunity Office. The Workforce Investment Act gives governors and state boards like this one great latitude in bringing together the variety of programs that will better our workforce. I would like you all to take advantage of these opportunities and develop systems and high level processes that will enhance our great state. With your leadership, under Haley's guidance, I know that Montana will out-shine similar boards in other states. We will become a leader in the country, in developing effective, responsive workforce training policies, and influencing future federal policies. So, as you move forward, I would like to outline my goals for your board. It is my hope that you will come up with three to four identifiable, realistic goals for workforce training and development. As a board will be to provide me with recommendations about what is working well, and recommendations on how we can further invest in our communities with successful programs. This may sound easy, but it is key that these goals be achievable, and successful in moving Montana's workforce training efforts to the top of the nation. As you consider these goals, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of government accountability. At the end of the day, we are accountable to the voters of this state. In turn, we require accountability in all of our programs.We also request your assistance in recommending development of employment statistics that make sense to all businesses, in and outside Montana. To be accountable, we must have a tracking mechanism that truly measures our progress. Finally, we need your help in identifying areas of coordination between state government and education. We have a wealth of resources in our state's educational system. And successful partnerships between education and business can only serve to improve both. So, again, thank you for agreeing to serve. This board is key to out economic development initiatives, and I know that you will provide a strong base from which to build. Thank you, and Gob Bless. III. CONNECTING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Office of Economic Opportunity: Dave Gibson, Chief Business Officer summarized the major goals of the state in regard to economic development. Things that need to be affected include: 1). The state of the workforce 2) Capitol available 3) Education Dave invited everyone to become familiar with the Governor's Economic Development Plan (available at: www.discoveringmontana.com) and explained that the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity is looking for help in crafting detailed action plans. The general themes to date include: 1) The need to be inclusive of all wage and skill levels 2) Mainly focus on retention of existing companies and workers 3) Target traditional and new economy businesses 4) Focus on Montana's fundamentals resulting in a desire for people to move to Montana and stay 5) Must execute plan more efficiently than other states 6) Businesses are driven by workforce skills and training Economic Development Action Group (EDAG): Dick Crofts Commissioner of Higher Education and member of EDAG updated members on the Economic Development Action Group: 1) Created by Senator Baucus and must be non-partisan and driven by business 2) Governor continued the Economic Development Action Group by executive order 3) Governor agreed that economic development hinges on having an educated and skilled workforce 4) Compiling a web-based list of training providers and businesses in Montana 5) Strategic Plan focuses on education and training 6) Need to bring things together in a coordinated way LUNCH: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SUCCESSES: Sylvia Belgrade (individual), Fran Viereck (individual) and Alan Hearn (business) shared success stories regarding training and program assistance. IV. WORKFORCE 20/20 GRANT ACTIVITIES REPORT: Joe Unterreiner, President, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, reported as follows regarding Kalispell's Chamber of Commerce and Phase One of the Workforce 20/20 Grant: Kalispell is one of six Chambers of Commerce nationwide that was chosen pilot Phase One of the Workforce 20/20 program. Mr. Unterreiner described the three phases of the grant and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce's involvement. Webb Brown, Montana Chamber of Commerce, explained that the Montana Chamber of Commerce would be participating in Phase Two of the Workforce 20/20 Program and gave a general timeline for grant activities. V. MONTANA'S MAJOR WORKFORCE ISSUES, THE FOCUS IN 2002: Larry Good, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce The seven major issues compiled at the Executive Committee Meeting, on January 8, 2002 were discussed and the following were added:
After a brief discussion it was decided that the board would align it's goals with those that the Governor outlined earlier in the day. Additionally, that efforts need to be made on behalf of workers as well as employers. Bill Case added that the fastest way to increase Montana's average wage might be for the State of Montana to give its employees a raise since the State employs the most people. VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Operating Rules/Bylaws:Have not been finalized but will be shared at the April 16th meeting. The conflict of interest policies were included in today's packet for review by board member. Committee Structure:Chairman, Haley Beaudry explained that he and Desiree Taggart would be contacting board members regarding placement on the committees suggested by the Executive Committee following their January 8, 2002 meeting. VII. LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARD CHAIR REPORTS: An overview of the Concentrated Employment Program board and its' activities was presented by Mr. Bob Henry, Chairman. Chairperson, Norma Boetel described the activities and composition of the Balance of State board. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: Alan Hearn, of Golden Ration, stated that the board should remember that not all jobs are high skilled jobs. Therefore emphasis must be put on increasing wages for low skilled jobs as well as increasing skills and wages for high skilled jobs. IX. ADJOURN: Chairman, Haley Beaudry adjourned the meeting at 3:10 pm. NEXT MEETING: April 16, 2002 - Big Sky Economic Development Agency, Billings |
