WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
Ms. Lynn M. Selby, Executive Director, Governor's Workforce Investment Board (GWIB), called the meeting to order at 3:36 pm and welcomed all members to the June 2014
Quarterly meeting. She acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing board members and welcomed the new board appointments. Ms. Selby then turned the meeting over
to Martin G. Knott, Jr., GWIB, Chair. Mr. Knott welcomed everyone to the Quarterly Board meeting and asked the members of the Board to introduce themselves. He noted
that a quorum was not present, so it was decided to proceed to the Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB) presentation.
LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD (LWIB) PRESENTATION
Mr. Knott introduced, Dan McDermott, Executive Director Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board and President of Maryland Workforce Investment Network. He spoke of
the new concept workforce intermediaries, which are organizations that proactively focus on the needs of the employers, workers and jobseekers to meet workforce
demands.
Mr. McDermott welcomed the group, gave a brief overview of Maryland's Workforce Investment Boards, and introduced the panel presenters from Maryland's Workforce
Investment Areas. Jeffery Swilley, Acting Executive Director at Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, Francine Trout, Director at Mid-Maryland
Workforce Investment Area, Kirkland Murray, President and CEO at Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation and Karen Sitnick, Director of Baltimore City Mayor's
Office of Employment Development (MOED).
Jeffrey Swilley provided a brief summary on the Youth Career Connect Grant program. The ultimate goal is to help students receive their high school diploma/GED,
obtain employer recognized credentials and enroll in post-secondary education to increase their employability for future in demand jobs.
Francine Trout shared who the long- term unemployed customers are in her local workforce investment area and the overall impact long-term unemployment has on
this population, particularly their ability to regain employment. Kirk Murray presented the benefits of sector initiatives for businesses, job seekers and the
community. Sector initiatives are highly responsive to industry demand when compared to traditional job matching. He spoke about the Anne Arundel County strategy
on putting industries together to hear their business needs. He also shared innovative ways to meet the emerging needs of businesses.
Karen Sitnick highlighted the role of the local workforce investment boards. One- Stop Centers are the hub of statewide service delivery for workforce and business
services. These Centers through partnerships with other local, state, education and economic development organizations provide training opportunities for skill
development, which makes job seekers more valuable for employers. Ms. Sitnick spoke about the partnership of working with Caesars Hotel to assist in filling between
1,700 and 1,900 jobs in the Southeast Baltimore area.
Dan McDermott concluded with highlights, employment outcomes, and performance benchmarks for services received by individuals at the One-Stop Centers for the
timeframe of July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. He then thanked the WIBs for their presentation. Questions and discussion ensued, funding, structure and composition.
This discussion will continue at the next Board meeting in September.
Mr. Knott commented that the WIBs are where the rubber hits the road. It would be great to see as a follow up at the next quarterly board meeting what your
organizational structure and composition looks like. Barbara Kaufman, Workforce Services Director for Montgomery County, extended an invitation to all Board
members to visit the local One-Stop Centers.
OPERATION HIRE: MARYLAND'S 100 DAY VETERAN HIRING CHALLENGE
Edward Chow, Jr. Secretary of Veterans Affairs provided information on the statewide campaign encouraging employers to hire Maryland's veterans. Operation Hire
complements the supportive services already in place for veterans who are seeking employment across the One Stop Centers in the State. For more information, visit the
website.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A quorum was present and a motion was made and seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2014, GWIB Board Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, Mr. Knott thanked everyone and the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.
|