Secure Jobs Advisory Committee
February 10, 2015
In attendance: Toni Bator, HAPHousing, Ken Demers, BerkshireWorks, Donna Harris, Franklin Hampshire Career Center, Lisa Lapierre, Secure Jobs/Corporation for Public Management, Melissa Mateus, Springfield Partners, Darlene Morse, CareerPoint, Konrad Rogowski, FutureWorks, Pamela Schwartz, Network, Rep. Aaron Vega, Holyoke, Phyllis White, Franklin Hampshire Career Center
Debrief on Secure Jobs Celebration
Everyone agreed it was wonderfully successful! Congratulations to everyone for fantastic work.
We had an initial discussion re: plans for next year. Pamela suggested that we should vary the format and shared Rep. Farley-Bouvier’s idea raised after last week’s event to have a type of forum where we are educating legislators and getting feedback on the issues and challenges. We all agreed that it could be a great use of legislators’ time to bring them together to hear about the barriers pertaining to state policy/legislation and what fixes are needed to address them. We also agreed we would hold such a forum in late Fall to allow for earlier input in the fiscal year and to avoid the threat of a snow storm cancelation (never again!).
Monthly Progress Report
Please click here to review.
We noted the amazing retention rate from the initial Fireman grant (over 80%), a huge testimony to the success of this program’s model.
We are currently at 83 enrollments of the 100 required under the DHCD grant. All agreed that it is now especially important to prioritize based on motivation level in order to maximize chances of translating enrollment translating to employment.
It was noted that there is current focus on enhancing retention tracking systems under the DHCD grant. Lisa is working closely with CareerPoint staff to support this effort.
Lisa shared an update on the Secure Jobs rally held on 1/23 that provided enrollees an opportunity to get better connected and learn more about job opportunities. It was a successful event.
Franklin Hampshire Career Center is seeing an increase in referrals.
BerkshireWorks is fully off the ground, enrolling clients and working closely with Brad Gordon, providing a presence at Housing Court and also reaching out to Northern Berkshire County through the Northern Berkshires Community Coalition.
Next meeting: Tuesday, 3/17, Franklin Hampshire Career Center.
