Workforce
Development Board of
Wednesday,
November 16, 2011
‘The Business Development Committee
shall identify and monitor the business services to be provided through the
system, oversee public relations about business services, convene focus groups
and community roundtables for identifying future workforce needs as related to
economic development, identify available funding and assist in grant writing
for employer training needs, and produce the State of the Workforce Report.’
Present: Mike Treadwell, Bruce Phelps, Connie Smith,
Wagner Dotto, Joe Fiumara, Chris Nelson, Eric Behling Staff: Jeff Grimshaw, Nick
Della Penna
Mike Treadwell called the meeting to order.
1) Approval of the August 3, 2011 minutes
Bruce Phelps moved to approve the minutes. Connie Smith seconded. The minutes were approved.
2)
Training Update- Nick Della Penna
Nick reviewed the training activities supported by the system for the new Program Year. There were 11 OJT participants carried in from the previous program year- eight were completed and 3 were terminated prior to completion.
Twelve new contracts have been written Y-T-D with eight area businesses. Nine of these are still active, and 3 contracts were terminated prior to completion. All of the terminated employees were participants of the Wage Subsidy Program.
We had one new Customized Training contract this year- Pathfinder
Bank put 32 employees through a variety of Microsoft Excel training classes.
3)
Business Services Team Update- Nick Della Penna
-
We held four On-Site Recruitments this quarter: All Metro Health Care on 7/6 and 9/7, and Home
Aides of CNY on 9/23 (Fulton) and 9/30 (Mexico).
-
We held a Rapid Response session for Oswego
Hospital – 4 people attended.
-
Rapid Response Sessions were held in early
October for Birdseye employees. More are
planned for November. A job fair was
held at Birdseye on 10/27. The company
intends to close the facility by 12/31/11.
-
The
One Stop was awarded an additional $157,683 in Wage Subsidy funding bringing
the new total to $525,611.
-
48
individuals have been enrolled in OJT through the Wage Subsidy Program.
-
Transitional
Employment opportunities are being developed with Cayuga Community College and
Design Concepts.
-
Oswego
Industries is planning to restart the commercial product line for sewing which
will create new job opportunities.
-
Carla
DeShaw, Cayuga Community College shared that they have access to grant funding
for businesses looking to upgrade the skills of their current workforce.
4) Business
Customer Satisfaction Survey – Nick Della Penna
Nick reviewed the results
from the 1st quarter of PY’11 (July-Sept.). Thirteen surveys were returned from the 48
that were sent out. Most respondents
were “very satisfied” with the services that were provided to them, however,
one customer was “very dissatisfied” with the candidates referred to him for a
job opening. One-Stop staff continues to
work with him.
5) Career Ladder Map Update – Thad Mantaro
Thad stated that we are continuing to work with the SUNY Oswego Graphic Design Dept.
students to help us with the re-design of the site. We were also working with a separate group
from Oswego County BOCES, but their teacher has informed us that this type of
work is a little beyond their capabilities.
The committee discussed possible incentive to keep young people engaged
on the site.
6)
Strategic Planning- Jeff Grimshaw
Jeff
reported that one-half of the Full Board members have completed the survey that
was requested at the September Full Board meeting. So far, there has been a heavy emphasis on
the need to increase the marketing of the system, better collaboration with
other agencies and organizations in the community, and the creation of a
Speaker’s Bureau and “Parade of Businesses” to make youth aware of the
opportunities within the county. Four
Full Board members have volunteered to work on the marketing committee. Wagner agreed to join them at their initial
meeting on Nov. 30.
7)
Roundtable Update- All
8)
Next Meeting Date- February 8, 2012 (tentative)