Workforce Development Board of Oswego County

Business Development Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Room 103 Rich Hall   Oswego State

 

‘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.’

 

Minutes

 

Present:  Mike Treadwell, Bruce Phelps, Wagner Dotto, Connie Smith     Staff: Nancy Bellow, Nick Della Penna

 

Mike Treadwell called the meeting to order.

 

Agenda Items

 

1) Approval of the October 7, 2009 minutes

Bruce Phelps moved to approve the minutes.  Wagner Dotto seconded.  The minutes were approved.

 

 

2) Training Update- Nick Della Penna

Nick updated the committee on the training activities supported by the system.  We have run one only two customized training program in the 2nd quarter of PY’09- with Novelis (8 participants) and Huhtamaki (35).  A total of 14 people were trained via On-the-Job Training (OJT) contracts thus far this year.  Pathfinder Bank (4 participants) and Huhtamaki (3) were the largest contracts.    

 

NYSDOL is no longer accepting applications for the BUSINYS Grant.  They received so many applications during the first round; they have cancelled their plans for rounds two and three.   

 

Bruce Phelps asked if Oswego Industries was utilizing the services of the One-Stop for their recruitment of textile workers.  Chris Weaver reports that: One Stop staff met with Oswego Industries in June of 2009 regarding potential job openings in the Sewing division.  Oswego Industries expressed an interest in training subsidies, as well as referrals for sewing machine operators.  28 people were referred to these positions.  One individual was hired with a subsidy; he has completed training and transitioned to unsubsidized employment.  A second individual has been interviewed and screened, and is anticipated to be hired when an opening is available.  The other candidates are still being screened through OI.

 

 

3) Business Services Team Update- Nick Della Penna

One Stop Staff provided Rapid Response Services at the Pulaski P&C on 12/31/09 for 49 employees.  Oswego County P&C employees working at other P&C stores (Baldwinsville, Clay) received Rapid Response services through New York State. 

 

One individual was placed at Huhtamaki though the 13N Internship Program in December 2009.  The individual completed the internship on 12/31/09 and has transitioned to unsubsidized employment in a Manufacturing Engineer Coop position at $15/hour.

 

Four upgrades were done at Pathfinder Bank via OJT’s: Accounting Clerk ($11.53/hr.), Sales Support Specialist ($11.53/hr.), Credit Analyst I ($12.50/hr.) and Credit Analyst ($13.94/hr.).  

 

Six placements have occurred through the Wage Subsidy Program.  Participants included Birdseye Foods Inc. (3), Claudette’s Flowers & Gifts (1), Michaud Residential Health Services (1) and Pathfinder Bank (1).

 

Three positions have been posted for Home Pro Hero.  The One-Stop is working with the Fulton CDA on this program.  Sunoco interviewed candidates at the One-Stop Center w/o Jan. 11 & 18.  They are looking to fill 45 positions.

 

Overall, Business Service Activity has slowed considerably.  We have very little Adult and Dislocated Worker money remaining until we receive our new allocation on July 1, 2010.

 

 

4) Business Customer Satisfaction Survey – Nick Della Penna

Fourteen surveys were returned for the September quarter, from 22 that were sent out.  Eleven of the 14 worked with Oswego County Dept. of Employment & Training (DET).  Comments were very favorable, and almost all customers fell into the “Very Satisfied” category.    

 

5) Stimulus Update - Nick Della Penna

Adult Program funding has been 100% committed through June 30, 2010.  Sixty-five individuals were served in classroom (ITA) training, 12 individuals were served in the On-the-Job training program and 9 individuals were served in Customized Training. 

 

Approximately 90% of the Dislocated Worker funding has been committed through June 30, 2010.  We continue to make classroom and on-the job training opportunities available to dislocated workers.  Seventy-two individuals have been served in classroom (ITA) training and 6 individuals have been served in the On-the-Job Training Program. 

 

Most of the Youth funding has been committed.  We continue to make services available to eligible Youth. 

 

Bruce Phelps asked how much of the Stimulus funds went to 2 and 4-year colleges.  DET reports that: The bulk of the ARRA funding went to BOCES- $216,779 to Oswego County BOCES and $31,000 to OCM.  A total of $16,554 went to 2-yr colleges and $8,881went to 4- yr colleges got.  Proprietary schools received $94,041.

 

 

6) Career Ladder Map Update – Nick Della Penna

We have updated the website with some of the data supplied by WorkKeys.  We have completed all of the new Industry data and have updated the links.  Nick has completed about 80% of the updated salary and wage information, and should complete this in February. 

 

Nick went on to review our initial tracking report to see who is visiting the site.  The report covers the 4th quarter of 2009.  We will begin to look at trends and site activity in 2010.

 

 

7) Next Meeting Date- April 14, 2010