Workforce Development Board of Oswego County

Business Commons

June 25, 2008

8:00 a.m.

 

The mission of the Workforce Development Board of Oswego County is to attract, develop and maintain a qualified workforce for the Oswego County community, to assist in economic development by convening community leaders to engage in strategic planning and facilitating dialogue to educate and train the workforce needed by today’s and tomorrow’s businesses.

 

PRESENT:    Dr. Cathleen McColgin            Kathleen Fenlon

                       John Mosher                            Don Unger

                       Bruce Phelps                            Connie Smith

                       Frances Lanigan                         Dennis McDermott     

                       Dave Vickery                           Dr. Joseph Camerino

                       Colleen McBride                       Earnie Pietrykowski

                       Mike Russell                             Diane Cooper-Currier

                       Chuck Rinoldo                                           Wagner Dotto

                       Phil Church                            Eric Behling

                       Alan Horna                            John McGraw

 

EXCUSED:                        Nicole Capilli                            Eileen Ensworth

                           RoseAnn Parsons                    Mike Treadwell

                        Rita Tickle                           Rajesh Modi

                        Ellen French                          Joseph Fiumara

                        Paul Kurtzman                     Donald Watson

 

OTHERS:                   Dawn Holynski                       Jane Murphy

                        Jeff Grimshaw                           Donna Donabella

                        Chris Weaver                           Jennifer DelVillano

                        Dave Lloyd                                                     

                                   

1. Welcome:  John Mosher called the meeting to order and welcomed guests, Jennifer DelVillano from Constellation Energy and Dave Lloyd from Novelis.  A quorum was established with 20 present out of 30. 

 

2. Approval of the March 26, 2008 minutes.  A motion was made by Bruce Phelps and seconded by Dave Vickery to approve the minutes as presented.  The motion was carried.

 

3. Executive Committee Report:

John Mosher reported the committee met on June 11, 2008.  The committee reviewed and approved the proposed Workforce Board budget for next year.

 

Two monitoring reports were filed.  No major issues were noted on either his fiscal desk review performed on all programs, or the program review of the Adult and Dislocated worker programs.

 

The committee reviewed the recommendations from the nominating committee for new officers.

 

Financial Report: 

Connie Smith reviewed the income and expenditures from July 2007 through May 2008. Expenditures have caught up since the last meeting, and a small carryover into next year is anticipated.  A motion was made by Chuck Rinoldo and seconded by Dr. Cathleen McColgin to approve the report.  The motion was carried.

 

Connie also reported on the proposed budget for July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  The report budget shows a reduction of $20,000 from the previous year.  $9,000 is due to staff reduction of wages and fringe.  Previously the budget allowed for administrative costs which will now be contributed by the college. A motion was made by Dennis McDermott and seconded by John McGraw to approve the proposed budget.  The motion was carried.

 

Performance Review:  – Performance: Fran reported the figures for the third quarter (July 2007 through March 2008).  We are meeting all but one performance goal, Literacy/Numeracy for out-of-school youth.  Fran is optimistic the goal will be in the fourth quarter of the program year.

 

The standard for Dislocated Worker average earnings is now being met and performance is just below the standard on the rescheduled and triage sub-sets of the Reemployment Services Scheduling measure. 

 

The year-end goal for “Training and Skill Development” enrollments has been achieved making us eligible for incentive funding in this category.  The amount has not yet been determined.

 

The other system improvement measures are on target.

 

Spending: Fran reported that the average for all programs total 78% obligated.  The Adult and Dislocated Worker availability figures now reflect the $100,000 transfer from Dislocated Workers to the Adult program.

 

The additional obligations in April and May put us at 100% obligations in all grants (Adult, DW, Youth).  Expenditures are being charged to the Incentive Funding.

 

There are not anticipated problems meeting the year-end WIA expenditure requirements.

 

4. Committee Chair Reports:

Partners Roundtable - The committee met on May 7, 2008.  The committee reviewed the progress made on the system objectives:

-                     The system-wide workshop calendar continues to be issued.  Incentive funding will be used to expand the offerings.

-                     The cost allocation plan for the year 7 MOU has been completed.  We are still waiting for Cayuga Community College to complete the partner worksheet for year 8.

-                     The One-Stop hosted two orientation sessions for the CCC LPN-to-RN candidates.  20 applications were submitted.

-                     The One-Stop hosted two orientation sessions for the SUNY Upstate School of Nursing RN-to-BSN program.

-                     The Workshop Group has scheduled a Health/Medical Occupations Training Fair on May 8 and an Employer Forum on June 18 which highlighted the targeted industry clusters.

 

Approximately $250,000 of the Incentive Funding has been obligated (of the $800,000 available).  This grant money must be spent by 12/31/08.

 

VESID is still reviewing Cost Allocation plan for MOU-Year 7.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation & Franchise – The committee met on May 21, 2008.

 

The Customer Satisfaction Summary Report for January - March was very positive.  All responses were either “excellent” or “good” except a “fair” comment concerning the Center’s hours of operation.

 

There were six responses for the 25 surveys mailed out for Classroom Training feedback.  There was some negative feedback received about two of the programs.  This feedback was forwarded to the training provider, who has taken corrective action.

 

Surveys were mailed to 14 businesses, with 8 responses.  Responses were very positive.

 

Business Development –Nick Della Penna reported for Mike Treadwell. The committee met on April 23, 2008 and reviewed the training activities supported by the system.   We have invested over $225,000 in On-the-Job Training (OJT) contracts. The largest contracts are Birds Eye Foods (12 trainees), Novelis (19) Interface Solutions (11) and the Riverview Business Park (9). 

 

The Fulton One-Stop Center hosted a major on-site recruitment for Metrix in January and for Novelis, Huhtamaki and NorthEast Biofuels in March.  Over 180 interviews were conducted for NorthEast Biofuels.

 

CNYAHEC, 1199 union representatives and One-Stop staff continue to work with employees of A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital.

 

Youth Council – The committee met on April 9, 2008 and reviewed the performance results for the second quarter of Program Year ’07 (Oct 1 - December 31, 2007).  All three performance standards for Youth and the NYS System Improvement Indicator have been met.  The Literacy/Numeracy gain objective is providing the biggest challenge.  Another challenge is the continued emphasis on serving out-of-school youth.

 

Planning for the next Youth Employment Summit has begun.  The date is October 10.  One new young person has been added to the committee.  A presentation on the Career Ladder Maps will be an added feature this year.

 

The Council was updated on the Advancing Youth Partnership WIA Grant. The Youth Bureau  received $105,000 to serve kids at risk that normally would not get served, including kids who are parenting or homeless. 6 youth have been enrolled.  Partners on this program include: The Youth Bureau, DET, OCO (for transportation), and the Youth Advocacy Program (YAP).

 

The Council reviewed the proposals that were received from this year’s Request for Proposals for Year-Round Youth Services.  The new contracts that result from this process will go into effect July 1, 2008 and run through June 30, 2010.  Fifteen proposals were received and proposals covered all 10 of the required elements.  They are:

 

1.   Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction, leading to completion of secondary school, including dropout prevention strategies.

      -      BOCES-Basic Skills through WorkKeys

      -     OCO-Drop Out Prevention & Tutoring After School Program.

2.   Alternative secondary school services

      -      BOCES-Alternative Secondary School with Occupational Skill Training.

3.   Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning.

      -     DET provides as per WIA regulations.

 

 

4.   Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing.

      -      OI/CES-Youth Employment Opportunities

      -     OCO-Job Coaching

      -     DET-Work Experience

      -      BOCES-Summer Job Coach

5.      Occupational skill training

      -      BOCES-Alternative Secondary School with Occupational Skills Training

      -     OCO-Pre-Vocational Workshops

      -     OCO-Career Exploration & Job Shadowing

      -     DET-Occupational Skills Training & Career Exploration

6.   Leadership development opportunities, which may include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors during non-school hours.

      -     YAP-Employment Skills Readiness

7.   Supportive services

      -     DET-Supportive Services

8.   Adult mentoring for the period of participation and a subsequent period, for a total of not less than 12 months.

      -     OCO-Adult Mentoring

9.   Follow-up services for not less than 12 months after the completion of participation.

      -     DET-Follow Up Services

10.      Comprehensive guidance and counseling, which may include drug and alcohol abuse counseling and referral

      -     Found in proposals for leadership; also in case management.

A motion was made by Connie Smith and seconded by Earnie Pietrykowski to approve all proposals.  The motion was carried.

 

Skills and Training – The committee met on May 28, 2008 and reviewed the WIA performance report and training programs for the first three quarters of Program Year ’07.

 

For the year, 183 Adults and 80 Dislocated Workers were active, with 117 Adults and 45 Dislocated Workers completing their training.  There were 87 On-the-Job trainees (OJT) and 44 Adults participated in Customized Training.  The majority of the OJT and Customized trainees continue to be in the manufacturing sector.  OJT contracts have been written with 18 different companies.

 

The Individual Training Accounts (ITA’s) have been utilized to support vocational training for 124 people.  With the utilization of the incentive money, training activity has been very busy.  The incentive funds will run out at the end of the calendar year.

 

The committee also reviewed the latest additions to the local Eligible Training Provider List.

 

Donna Donabella and Jane Murphy discussed the Literacy Coalition that they are hoping to form to address the issue in the County.  The committee felt that this information would be of interest to the Full Board. A motion was made by Eric Behling and seconded by John McGraw to accept the committee reports.  The motion was carried.

 

5. Election of Officers – The nominating committee recommended Dave Vickery as Chair, Don Unger as Vice Chair and Connie Smith as Treasurer for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2008. A motion was made by Dennis McDermott and seconded by Bruce Phelps to approve the slate of officers.  The motion was carried.

 

 

 

6. Director’s Report

Strategic Plan - Nancy Bellow reported that she and Jeff Grimshaw gave a presentation to the school superintendents at BOCES regarding the Career Ladder Maps.  It was suggested that school counselors and principal groups be given the presentation.  A presentation will also be given at the annual Youth Summit.  Additional videos and profiles continue to be added to the Career Ladder website. 

 

WIA Rescission Update - Nancy reported that the reduction in funds for this year was 8%.  Next year the reduction will be 20%.  Nancy told the Board that she has written a letter to Congressman McHugh explaining what effect the reduction will have on the workforce in Oswego County and urged him to contact Congressman Walsh, Chair of the Appropriations Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services to hold the line against further WIA rescissions.

 

One-Year Plan Extension- NYS Department of Labor responded to our One-Year Plan extension with some observations and findings they want us to address.  We need to respond by Monday, June 30, 2008.  Nancy does not believe there will be a problem once those have been addressed.

 

Energy Institute – A pamphlet regarding the upcoming Energy Institute was put in everyone’s meeting packet.  Nancy asked everyone to share this information with coworkers.

 

Nancy also spoke of another handout in the packet from NYS Division of Research and Statistics regarding a study done of the Central New York economy and how it has transformed from a manufacturing-based to a more diversified service-providing economy. 

 

Nancy recognized John Mosher, Novelis, for his service on the Board and presented him with a thank you gift.  John will be leaving the Board after eight years.  Dave Lloyd, Novelis, will serve on the Board starting July 1.

 

7. Workforce Spotlight – Phil Church, County Administrator, spoke about the current challenges and initiatives our county face.  A large percentage of the workforce in county government will be eligible to retire soon, so succession planning is important. Phil spoke about expenditures and revenues.  He talked about how the state budget has an impact on our county.  Phil also spoke about the impact of the gas tax cap.  He explained the mitigation efforts the County has planned and about the Oswego County Fire School. 

 

8. Literacy Coalition – Donna Donabella (Oswego County BOCES) and Jane Murphy (Literacy Volunteers) spoke to the Board about a plan for a literacy coalition.  Oswego County BOCES, Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County (LVOC) and the Oswego County Libraries have met over the last 2 years to discuss the growing literacy problem in the county.  As of the 2000 census, 25% of county residents 18 and older do not have a GED or high school diploma.
This impacts the numbers able to enter employment and maintain a job, applicant pools for jobs and social service numbers.  It is difficult to break the cycle of poverty when someone does not have a GED or high school diploma.
 
LVOC & BOCES Adult Education are working together to form a County-wide Literacy Coalition to address the importance of literacy across the lifespan.  



They invited Board members to be a part of this important initiative.

 

 

9.   Next meeting will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2008 – 8 a.m., Rich Hall.