Chair and Executive Director’s Report
December 2014– February 2015
Meetings, Events, and Press
Council priorities this past quarter include; plans for addressing the roles and responsibilities
under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act with transition and
implementation strategies, completion of the Net Impact Pilot Project Report and the
WorkForce Center Reports due to the legislature in January 2015, continuation of the National
Governors Association Policy Academy on Aligning the Education and Training Pipeline to the
Needs of the Economy, attending local Workforce Investment Board meetings around the state,
and numerous meetings and conference calls regarding the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act, WIOA.
In addition to these activities the Chair and Director’s report is as follows:
Monthly Activities:
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Executive Director, ED Connie Ireland attends the monthly meetings of the Minnesota
Workforce Council Association
ED and Chair meet bi-weekly
GWDC bi-weekly staff meetings
GWDC and DEED Workforce Development Policy team meetings bi-weekly
Executive Director participates in quarterly meetings with the Employment Services
Program group (Community-based organizations providing workforce services) along
with Deputy Commissioner Hanson
ED and Chair participate in monthly calls with the National Governors Association
ED Connie Ireland meets bi-weekly with Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Willis Hanson and
occasional meetings with Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben
ED Connie Ireland meets monthly with Anne Kilzer, Director for MWCA
ED meetings with GWDC members
ED Connie Ireland meets weekly with Rick Roy, DEED, lead for Minnesota and
implementation of WIOA
ED Connie Ireland meets with DEED’s Workforce Development Director, Tom Norman
weekly
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ED Connie Ireland and Laura Beeth Chair meet bi-weekly to update on activiites
WIOA Committee meets monthly via webinar and/or in-person meetings
Executive Director Connie Ireland attends monthly meetings of MWCA’s Gang of 8
(small group of directors meet to discuss policy and WIOA implementation), DEED, and
interested GWDC WIOA committee members. This committee is addressing WIOA
transition, implementation and opportunities under WIOA legislation.
December Activities:
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ED participated in meetings with the Career Technical Education consortium to discuss
career pathways in Minnesota.
ED participated in the National Governor’s Association Policy Academy for Healthcare
occupations in Minnesota.
ED and Chair attended the Health Education Industry Partnership quarterly meeting.
ED participated in meetings regarding branding of Minnesota’s workforce system
ED and staff participated in several informational webinars on WIOA
ED and Chair attended the GWDC WIOA committee webinar
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the Central Corridor Anchor Partnership Meeting,
presenting on workforce efforts underway including Scrubs Camps, Fellows Program,
and joint goals.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in discussions on the Long Term Unemployed initiative
convened by Minneapolis WIB and Deloitte.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in health care education around imaging careers with St.
Catherine University.
January Activities:
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ED, staff, and chair participated in NGA Policy Academy calls and monthly meetings with
the Minnesota team
ED participated in meetings regarding future diversity goals within state government
ED and chair attended several meetings of the NGA Policy Academy for Healthcare
workers
ED attended the Brookings session following the statewide meeting tour
ED and Deputy Commissioner Hanson, DEED presented at the Duluth Workforce
Investment Board meeting
ED participated in Strategic Service Delivery meetings with DEED and the Minnesota
Workforce Council Association
ED met with Bloomington School district regarding their Career Academy
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ED attended the Women’s Economic Security Summit
ED and staff participated in informational webinars on WIOA
ED and Chair participated in the GWDC Executive Committee conference call
ED and chair attended the GWDC WIOA committee webinar
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the Minneapolis WIB Council Meeting, presenting
Youth Updates
Chair Laura Beeth participated in workforce meeting convened with Minneapolis
Leaders on the Long Term Unemployed, meeting convened by Deloitte and Minneapolis
WIB.
February Activities
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ED and chair convened the GWDC Executive Call.
ED testified on behalf of the GWDC to the Greater Minnesota Economic Development
Committee (Rep. Bob Gunther, Chair)
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ED and staff testified (re-scheduled) on behalf of the GWDC to the Senate Higher
Education and Workforce committee
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ED and GWDC WIOA committee co-chair conference call
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ED and Deputy Commissioner Jessica Looman had a conference call to discuss
apprenticeships and potential DOL proposal
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ED presented on a panel to the CEO members of Leading Age regarding workforce
development
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ED and chair convened/attended the GWDC WIOA committee meeting at DEED
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ED participated in the Advancing CTE Winter webinar
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ED meeting with MSPWIN director, Bryan Lindsley
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ED meeting with Denise Felder regarding College Career Readiness, CCRC
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Chair Laura Beeth and staff convened/attended the NGA Talent Pipeline meeting
Chair Laura Beeth met with Central Corridor Anchor Partnership Leadership to discuss
workforce and partnership results and future goals.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the Augsburg Fairview Academy School Board
Meeting.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the St. Catherine University Henrietta Schmoll School
of Health Advisory Council.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the WIOA Meeting Priorities and Deadlines Meeting.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the Minnesota Hospital Association Workforce
Development Committee Meeting.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the St. Catherine University Accreditation Site Visit.
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Chair Laura Beeth participated in the Minneapolis Workforce Investment Board – Youth
Meeting.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in the 2015 Scrubs Planning Meeting with HealthForce
MN, Augsburg College, and St. Paul College.
Chair Laura Beeth participated in meetings with the U of M AHC on student clinical
coordination.