Vice-Chair Amy King presided over the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 7:33am. Roll call was taken and a membership quorum was present.
Members Present
Dan Allen
John Carpenter
Carol Simler
Mary Keating
Amy King
Alan Mindlin
Tiffany Rotondo
Barb Szczepaniak
Tom Wendorf
Lisa Dixon
Jossue Espinosa (Beatriz Gonzalez)
Calvin Giles
Penny Clancy
Marilyn Liwanag
Diana Robinson
Mike Kish
Paul Seputis
Kate Wollensak
Members Absent
Joseph Cassidy
Dan Deasy
Jim Jett
Amit Mehta
Christine Torres
Darlene Ruscitti
Mike Zimmerman
Frank Raimondi
Laura Crawford
Ian Hardie
Tonia Khouri
Tom Chesna
Helen Orellana
Kathleen Yosko
Henry Zurawski
Others Present
Jamie Brown
Lisa Schvach
David Sabathne
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Jamie introduced Carol Simler to the group. Carol is the CEO and President of DuPage Pads.
Review of May 23, 2018 minutes
Motion to approve by Diana Robinson
Second by Dan Allen
All ayes, motion APPROVED
Chair's Report
Policies Jamie presented the Supportive Services Policy for Adult, ID and Youth clients in the Center. The policy details the income requirements for transportation assistance. Currently, transportation assistance is provided to participants in the form of a gas card. The new policy expands transportation reimbursement to include the cost of public transportation. The policy also includes other supportive services such as the cost of exams, etc. These costs will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Motion to Approve by Amy King
Second by Lisa Dixon
All ayes, motion APPROVED
Workforce Board Foundation
Jamie informed the group that the Workforce Board Foundation lost its status as a 501(c)3 in December of 2016. Lisa and Jamie have been working with the State’s Attorney at the County and the recommendation is to close the Fund. There is about $8,000 in the account and discussions are underway to determine what to do with the remaining funds. One suggestion would be to fold the money into the DSSA at DuPage County and make sure that clients from the workNet Center in need of assistance would be referred to the DSSA. Barb Szczepaniak commented that many agencies lost their 501(c)3 status for failure to file the appropriate tax documents. After much discussion, John Carpenter proposed a subsequent motion to continue with due diligence with regard to closing the foundation. Motion seconded by Calvin Giles. Further research will be done regarding the status of the Foundation.
WARN Report
Jamie reported that on July 25th, there will be a Career Fair for employees affected by the Carson Pirie Scott layoff event. The Career Fair is designed to expose workers to in-demand occupations and available training options.
workNet DuPage Update
PY18 Allocation Lisa reported that the Center has received its allocation for the 2018 Program Year. The allocation is $488,097 less than the PY17 Program Year. Although funding was cut, it has been absorbed by reorganization within the Center so there will not be any reductions in staff or services offered.
Youth RFPs
workNet has issued RFPs to serve youth in DuPage County. Historically, youth contracts have been awarded to expend the youth WIOA monies. This will be the strategy moving forward as it has been difficult to recruit eligible youth for workNet in-house programming. Responses have been received by First Institute, Parents Alliance Employment Project and Outreach Community Services.
Talent Pipeline Initiative-Edward Elmhurst
Jamie discussed the first talent pipeline solution with Edward Elmhurst Healthcare. This is a targeted approach to bring clients into the center for specific in-demand occupations and training programs. Lisa Dixon commented the demand for Patient Care Technicians and Medical Assistants is very high at Edward Elmhurst. workNet is able to pay for training utilizing WIOA dollars in these occupations and the goal is to create a pipeline of candidates for employers.
workNet Business Services Presentation
Griffin Leininger and Olivia Sanchez presented the services available to companies in DuPage County including Incumbent Worker Training, On-the-Job training, hiring events, etc.
Peek Inside: At this location, we offer our customers a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, from CNC machining all the way to complete product assembly and fulfillment.
Fun fact about our company: a robot works right alongside our machinists to produce parts with quality and efficiency!
You would like to work at our company if
you are interested in the wide range of evolving technologies, processes and creativity that go into the world of modern manufacturing.
In the next year, we expect to hire CNC machinists
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma and vocational or technical training in machining. We offer additional on-the-job training once a new machinist with the foundational skills and experience joins the team so they can continue to master their craft.
Our best machinists have: a passion about the art and science that goes into taking a raw piece of metal or plastic and forming it into a high-precision design.
CNC Machinists From this position, you could grow into
Master Machinist
Machining Business Manager
Owner of your own machining business
In the next year, we expect to hire Assembly Operators
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma, a mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn and closely follow processes and work instructions.
Our best assembly operators are eager learners and pay attention to details. They enjoy working on different types of mechanical work every day.
Assembly Operators From this position, you could grow into
lead operator
supervisor
manufacturing manager
FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
Company Name: The Jel Sert Company
DuPage Location: West Chicago, IL
Total number of employees in DuPage: 900 during peak season
Peek Inside
The Jel Sert Company is a leading manufacturer of food and beverage products. For the past 20 years, our team has been dedicated to establishing an exemplary manufacturing infrastructure that supports the needs of some of the world’s largest Consumer Packaged Goods and pharmaceutical companies.
Jel Sert is committed to providing employees with development opportunities as we are invested in their long term success and advancement within the organization. An individual development plan assists employees in career and personal development and allows employees to reach short and long term career goals.
You would like to work at our company because
We are committed to attracting the best talent and developing our employees to exceed their potential. Our employees take pride in their work and are always looking for ways to contribute their ideas, skills, experience, and passion. We reward and value creativity, professionalism, teamwork, honesty, and longevity.
In the next year, we expect to hire 2-3 technicians
To get this job, you typically need a Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with electrical, hydraulics, programming, and mechanical PLCs is required.
We pay $2.00 per hour shift differential for all time worked on 3rd shift. *Rate of pay depends on one’s experience, education, and skills.
Our best technicians have: Strong mechanical and electrical skills Additionally, someone that takes pride in their work, is honest, creative in their ideas, and works as a professional in a team environment.
All Technicians are sent to College of DuPage for classes. Technicians are scheduled for a series of six mechanical and six electrical classes. Classes are during work hours, so Technicians are paid for their time in class. We adjust their hours to spend half their shift on the floor and the balance in the class. Jel Sert pays for this training which includes classroom and lab work. All Technicians are involved in this training despite their experience level.
TECHNICIAN
From this position, you could grow into
