M7 - RWA Summit

Linking and Leveraging to Build a Regional Talent

Development Network
January 29, 2009
8:30 am to 12 noon
Zoofari Conference Center
9715 W. Bluemound Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Agenda
8:00 – 8:30 am Arrival / Continental Breakfast

8:30 am Welcome
Julia Taylor, RWA Chair and President, Greater Milwaukee Committee

Regional Economic Update

Pat O’Brien, Executive Director, Milwaukee 7

Regional Call to Action

Richard A. Meeusen, Chair, President and CEO, Badger Meter, Inc.

Regional Response
Michael Mortell, Program Coordinator, Regional Workforce Alliance

Regional Examples of Transformation

Panel Discussion

Break

Regional Perspective
Ed Morrison, Center for Regional Development at Purdue University

Task Force Group Discussions

 Internships
 Manufacturing Career Website
 Grant Development Protocol
 Staff Development Plan
 Catch & Refer
 Skills Assessment

Regional Readiness
Being talent-ready for the shovel-ready proposed Federal stimulus
projects

Noon Adjourn

301 W. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 300, Milwaukee WI 53203 (414)905-0105

 Task Force Group Discussion Descriptions

A set of priority projects emerged from the discussion at the All Committee Meeting on
August 12, 2008. These priority projects were shaped with input from the steering
committee, leadership team, education, and workforce development board committees.
The priority projects were subsequently staffed by task force groups. As several of the
task force groups have concluded their work, new projects have materialized. These
projects are closely inter-related to one another and essentially build components of the
regional talent development network. The discussion topic descriptions listed below will
give you a brief overview of the task force group (established or emerging) and the expected
outcomes of the group discussion.

Internships

Discussion Leader: Joe Stolzman, Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board

The goal of the task force is to identify and connect successful internships to organizations
that will provide young people with hands-on experience to grow the region’s workforce,
prevent brain drain, and fill jobs with the right people.

The internships will focus on the post-secondary level and M7 driver industries and
demand occupations.

The discussion on this topic will include: a review of the goals and to focus the attendees
on post-secondary internships; clarify which driver industry to target, share and confirm
survey questions for the Business Services, and discuss the Regional Database housed on
the RWA website.

Manufacturing Career Website

Discussion Leader: Elizabeth Thelen, RWA Industry Specialist

This task force has defined their scope of work by the following three main goals:
 To provide a place to support and publicize the positive image of manufacturing. -
Shouting the Positives of Manufacturing
 To provide a single hub of information and resources for targeted audiences. –
Sourcing Careers in Manufacturing Information
 To provide a place to coordinate regional activities whereby sharing activities and
best practices.

The participants of this discussion group will be given a brief overview of the focus of the
task force, a review of the website layout, and discuss website specifics such as hosting,
staffing, etc.

301 W. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 300, Milwaukee WI 53203 (414)905-0105

Grant Development Protocol

Discussion Leader: Angela Cummings, W-O-W Workforce Development, Inc.

The Grant Development Protocol will provide a systematic and timely approach to
developing regional grant proposals. The final document will be a signed memorandum of
understanding signifying a commitment by regional partners to follow the protocol when
applicable.

The RWA Summit discussions will revolve around how to implement the regional protocol.

Staff Development Plan

Discussion Leader: Michael Mortell, Regional Workforce Alliance

A part of the success of the Regional Workforce Alliance will be dependent on whether or
not leaders and staff in this wide-partnership of organizations understand, buy-into, and
implement the innovations that are being piloted. How do we ensure that the innovations
stick? How do we build collaboration into the “DNA” of the organizations within our
region? This newly formed task force will work on sustaining the gains.

Catch & Refer

Discussion Leader: John Milisauskas, Kenosha County Job Center

With growing pools of unemployed workers, hiring managers will likely be faced with an
increased number of unqualified candidates applying for openings. Rather than send
rejection letters, how can the unqualified candidates be actively directed to resources
within the network to grow the talent pool? This task force is exploring a regional
approach to developing a referral network for unqualified applicants instead of sending the
traditional rejection letter.

In December 2008, Racine County conducted a survey of all employers in the county
regarding the Catch & Refer idea. The discussion will highlight the results of the survey
and focus on the next steps for this task force.

Skills Assessment

Discussion Leader: Dick Buschmann, Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board

While high schools are largely successful in producing graduates, some employers point
out the variability in skill levels of those with a high school diploma. Providing a widely-
recognized, work readiness credential or certification can assure employers of the skill sets
offered by a candidate for employment, thus creating a common language.

The discussion will revolve around identifying the common language needed to create the
credential.
301 W. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 300, Milwaukee WI 53203 (414)905-0105