E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

  Preliminary Minutes

  August 17, 2006

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board meeting was held at Studebaker’s Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie.  In absence of a quorum, Workforce Development Board President Jill Hazel called the meeting to order as a Committee of the Whole at 4:10 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Gary Deuman
Shirley Farnquist
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Aaron Hopper
Kathy Langhals
Sandee Raappana
Ken Smith
John Ufer

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Tony Bosbous
David Goldthorpe
Joe Halvorsen
Ernie Maas
Dave Ramsay
Pat Shimmens
Aaron Tadgerson
Vicky Wagner
Barbara Weber
David Weber

Bold names denote private sector.

Guests Present:

Yves Hamel
Bill Sutter

Staff Present:

Kim Wilcox

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the June 15, 2006 , Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Ken Smith and support by Aaron Hopper.

The Workforce Development Board Member Five Minute Spotlights were postponed until the next WDB Meeting.

The Work First – Reed Act PY 2006 Carry In Plan Modification was reviewed.  This modification totals $9,116.  These funds will be used to provide supportive services for Work First Participants.  The Administrative Board approved this modification at their July Meeting.

The WIA Dislocated Worker Scholarship Program Plan for PY 2006 was described.   WIA Rapid Response Reserve funds have been allocated to provide scholarships for accelerated training to eligible dislocated workers.  Each scholarship would range from $2,000 - $5,000.  Certain factors would be considered to determine which dislocated worker would be most appropriate for the scholarships.  The Eastern U.P. has been awarded $15,889 to provide the scholarships.  The funds from this plan would be included in Consolidated Community School Services’ Dislocated Worker Contract.

A modification to the Capacity Building Plan was reviewed.  This modification totals $48,000 and can only be used for the purchase of software licenses for web-based video interviewing software.

Jeff Holt moved to approve all plans reviewed.  John Ufer supported.  Motion passed.

Workforce Development Board Members viewed a power point presentation from the State’s Council for Labor and Economic Growth (CLEG) regarding their vision statement—SOLUTIONS.  The goal of Solutions for Michigan ’s  21st Century Workforce is to represent an agreement of community-based organizations, employers, and organized labor to increase the skills and needs of Michigan ’s Workforce to the job needs of today and tomorrow.  CLEG is requesting that Workforce Development Boards and other agencies sign on to this idea.  Jeff Holt moved to have the WDB sign on to the SOLUTIONS concept.  John Ufer supported.  Motion passed.

Updates were provided regarding the Regional Strategic Plan and the 1st Step Small Business Counseling Program.

Jeff Holt described a workshop the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is co-sponsoring with the 1st Step Program to explain the programs and eligibility requirements available to prospective small business owners.  This workshop is scheduled to be held on August 30 in Sault Ste. Marie.

Several informational items were reviewed.

Workforce Development Board members reviewed the documentary, Waging a Living.  This documentary provided an insight of the obstacles employees of low wage jobs cope with on a daily basis.  It also described what employers could do to offset the needs of the low wage worker.

As there was no new or old business, the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

                  SIGNED                                                      10/19/06

                                                                                                       

            Jill Hazel, President                                     Date Approved

    E.U.P. Workforce Development Board