This event is funded, wholly or in part, using funds provided by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

NEW RIVER/MOUNT ROGERS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

MEETING AGENDA

October 24, 2018

Facilitating and coordinating workforce initiatives that enable economic growth and increase the standard of living in the region.

CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME OF GUEST – Chair Miller

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:

Higher Education Representative: Perry Hughes TANF Programs: Larry Lindsey

ROLL CALL

CONSENT AGENDA (previously distributed)

• Minutes from the August 22, 2018 meeting

• Financial Reports & Operational Summary

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Administration and Budget Committee • Financial Disclosure Statement

One-Stop Operations & Delivery Committee • Center Certifications Update • DLW & Adult Unobligated Funds

Executive Committee • By-Laws Amendment I • Committee Reassignments • Recommendation for Unobligated Funds

Training Provider Committee • Training Program Recertification Timeline

Marketing Committee • Virginia Career Works Brand Update

Youth Committee • Youth Unobligated Funds

CONSORTIUM BOARD UPDATE – Jay Williams

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUMMARY

Work Ready Community Initiative

FOIA Information

PARTNER REPORTS

Adult Education: Shirley Carlson TANF Programs: Larry Lindsey Career & Technical Education: Vacant Title 1 Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Pam Allison Community Based Organizations: Terry Smusz & Rob Goldsmith

Virginia Apprentice Program: Vacant

Institute of Higher Education: Perry Hughes Virginia's Employment Services: Karen Akers

Economic & Community Development: Josh Lewis WIOA Title I Programs: • One-Stop Operator

Job Corps: Jordan Loupe Special Grants: WDB Staff • HEART • Go Virginia Region 2 / Talent Cooperative • Pathways to the American Dream

NEXT SCHEDULED WDB MEETING – Joint Meeting with the Consortium Board, with lunch following– December 12th at the Wytheville Meeting

Center – 10:00 a.m.

ADJOURN

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NEW RIVER/MOUNT ROGERS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

MEETING MINUTES

August 22, 2018 A meeting of the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board was held on August 22, 2018 at the Wytheville Meeting Center. Those in attendance were as follows: Board Members Guest Staff Mike Miller, Chair Jay Williams, CLEO Chair Marty Holliday Karen Akers Perry Hughes Beverly Suthers Pam Allison Brenda Rigney Della Wheeler CB Andrews, Jr Beckie Cox Sharon Layman Howard Bartholomay Beth Carico Renee Sturgill Carol Blankenship Norma Dorsett Elizabeth Annis Jeff Dunnack Mark Husband Joseph Ferrell Phyllis Conner Robert Goldsmith Randall Rose Josh Lewis Janie Astin Jordan Loupe Albert Alwang Timothy McVey John Overton Austin Phipps Robert Pierce Jimmy Smith Mark Tapp Stephanie Hoer (Alternate) Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. and had the guests introduce themselves. New Members Jordan Loupe and Jimmy Smith were welcomed. Ms. Suthers called the roll and a quorum was present. Mr. Andrews made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with a second by Mr. Goldsmith. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Miller asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the Board during the public comment period. Hearing none, he proceeded with the agenda. Guest Presentation, Scott Tate and Albert Alwang of the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development spoke on the last quarterly report. A brief discussion followed.

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Chair Miller next asked for Committee Reports.

• Budget and Administration Committee: Ms. Holliday asked the board to review the Final Budget which includes exact carryover figures. PY18 Program funding and NOOs have been received with 100% of Youth Moneys having been received. The Board’s internal budget has not changed, only moneys put under contract with our two Program Operators has changed. Chair Miller asked for a motion to approve the Final Budget. Mr. Tapp made the motion to approve the Final Budget as presented with a second from Mr. Phipps. The motion was passed.

Ms. Holliday stated that the required Financial Disclosure Statements were located in the meeting packet and asked that they be completed and left on the tables for Ms. Meadows.

• Marketing Committee: Branding Implementation NOO for $25,000 has been received and implementation of the plan has begun. The money is starting to be spent. Ms. Holliday noted that nearly half of the funds will be on signage for the eight area centers. Ms. Holliday informed the Board that 60 individuals have been trained on “Living the Brand”. The Boards will be shown one module of the training at the Joint December meeting. Ms. Holliday stated that the Board’s website URL would be changing with the new branding and the Website would be updated. Mr. Tapp, Chair of the Outreach & Publicity Committee, stated that two proposals had been received to update the Board’s website to the new branding, IDEAS Group and the O’Conner Group. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Tapp brought before the Board the recommendation of the Outreach & Publicity Committee to remain with the O’Conner Group and have the O’Conner Group update the logo, colors, theme, graphics and ADA Compliance. Chair Miller called for a vote and the recommendation was passed.

• One-Stop Operations & Delivery System: Ms. Blankenship updated the Board on the

One-Stop Certifications. Two issues have held up the certification, an ADA issue that requires the Leaseholder to re-stripe the parking lot and the Regional MOU. The State came up with a new way to document cost allocations while the final MOU was out for signatures. Ms. Holliday stated she would be working on plugging the numbers into the new spreadsheet for all eight centers. She stated that the New River Mount Rogers Area would be in compliance, maybe not next month, but they would be in compliance.

Ms. Holliday informed the Board that all seven affiliate sights have failed ADA compliance for the most part due to parking. There have only been one or two centers across the entire state that are in ADA compliance. Everyone has worked very hard to make sure this certification can happen and it is hopefully near to a close.

• Training Provider Committee: Ms. Holliday discussed PY18 Training Provider

Certification Timeline. Re-certifications will be beginning for the Committee. All Training Providers must provide program information by December 2018 if they wish to

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be re-certified, otherwise they will be removed from the State Approved Training Provider List. Trainings must support the occupations on the “In Demand Occupation List” for the local area. Ms. Holliday may provide waivers for trainings not on the In Demand Occupation List, but not for the State Approved Training Provider List.

Mr. Williams, Consortium Board Chair, welcomed the new members on the Workforce Development Board and thanked everyone for the work they do on the Board. He stated that the State Monitoring Report had been received with very little findings. Mr. Goldsmith, Chair of the Nominating Committee, made a motion to vote Mr. Bartholomay as the 2nd Vice-Chair to fill the vacancy. After no discussion, Mr. Miller called for a vote. The motion was passed unanimously. Chair Miller highlighted the PY18 Committee Assignments located in the packet and stated there were a few vacancies that would need to be filled. Ms. Holliday stated she would send out to Board Members the definitions of what each committee was responsible for. Mr. Miller stated that if anyone had strong feelings about being on a particular committee to make it known. Ms. Holliday updated the Board on Staff activities since their last meeting and reviewed the executive summary. She stated that all 13 jurisdictions would be part of the Work Ready Community rollout shortly since they had completed their final academy. The jurisdictions will have two years to meet all goals to be certified as Work Ready Communities. The local Community Colleges do not have the capacity to complete the required certification. Ms. Holliday will continue to seek funds to support NCRC testing and job profiling in the region. She stated the jurisdictions are attempting to have the Governor come to the area in September 2018 for the Brand and Work Ready Community rollout. Ms. Holliday informed the Board that the Roanoke Times FOIA request had been completed, but that the New Rivers Mt Rogers Area had not heard if there were any remaining questions. The area of focus seemed to be what the DOL finds allowable compared to what the Roanoke Times reporter sees as not a reasonable expense for tax payer funds. She will keep the Board updated. Moving on with the agenda, Chair Miller called for partner reports: PARTNER REPORTS Reports for the following partner agencies were given: Community Based Organizations, Mr. Goldsmith; Institute of Higher Education, Mr. Hughes; Economic & Community Development, Mr. Lewis; Job Corp, Mr. Loupe; Virginia’s Employment Services, Ms. Akers; One-Stop Operator Report, Ms. Carico and Ms. Hoer; and Special Grants, Ms. Holliday.

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The 2018 WDB meeting schedule was reviewed with Board members noting that the next WDB meeting is scheduled for October 24, 2018 at the Wytheville Meeting Center beginning at 10:00 AM. Ms. Holliday discussed the Travel Voucher with Board members. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 12:06 PM. Respectfully Submitted,

Beverly Suthers, Workforce Operations Coordinator

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WIOA Available Administration Funds 294,910$ Obligated 294,071 Un-Obligated 839

Expenditures 41,562$ Board/Fiscal Agent 38,034 One-Stop Operator 3,528

Balance 253,348$

WIOA Available Adult Program Funds 753,427$ Obligated 695,045 Un-Obligated 58,382

Expenditures 64,893$ Board 8,843 Operators 56,050

Balance 688,534$

WIOA Available DLW Program Funds 599,746$ Obligated 587,886 Un-Obligated 11,860

Expenditures 41,976$ Board 8,831 Operators 33,145

Balance 557,770$

New River/Mt Rogers Workforce Development Board Financial Report

Report Period: 07/01/18-08/31/18

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WIOA Available Youth Program Funds 984,655$ Obligated 807,004 Un-Obligated 177,651

Expenditures 91,330$ Board 11,797 Operators 79,533

Balance 893,325$

HEART Available Funds 71,806$ Obligated 71,806

Expenditures 29,494$ Board 29,494

Balance 42,312$

Operational Summary – October 24, 2018 Service Levels: Thru September 30, 2018, our Program Operators have served the following: DLW – 142 In Training – 32 Adults – 167 In Training – 46 Youth – 142 These service levels are the following percentage of planned PY’18 enrollments for the 1st quarter of the program year: Plan Actual DLW – 109% of plan 130 142 Adult – Goodwill – 95% 80 76

People – 107% 85 91

Youth – Goodwill – 111% 65 72 People – 103% 68 70

Performance: Thru September 30, 2018, Program Operators have achieved the following performance levels: Attained Total Standard Exclusion* DLW – Placement Rate – 88% 25 22 0 Average Wage at Placement - $17.05

Attained Total Standard Exclusion* Adults:

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys

Placement Rate – 100% 10 8 2 Average Wage at Placement - $9.29 People, Inc. of Virginia

Placement Rate – 100% 30 30 0 Average Wage at Placement - $13.71 Youth:

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys

Placement Rate – 100% 10 9 1 Attained a Degree or Certificate – 56% 10 5 1 People Inc. of Virginia

Placement Rate – 95% 21 20 0 Attained a Degree or Certificate – 100% 14 14 0 Exclusions:

1. Institutionalized 2. Health/Medical or Family Care 3. Deceased 4. Reserve Forces Called to Active Duty 5. Relocated to a Mandated Program 6. Invalid or Missing Social Security Number

Operator performance is in line with planned contract performance goals as well as negotiated Performance Measures.

Financial Thru August 31, 2018, (two months) our Program Operators expended 9% of available PY’18 contract funding for all programs. Under WIOA 44% (40% required) of Adult/DLW funds expended have been for required training activities. 81% (75% required) of WIOA Youth program funds have been expended on Out of School Youth with 47% (20% required) expended on Work Experience activities as defined under WIOA. All expenditures are meeting/exceeding current WIOA and State program spending requirements.

NEW RIVER/MOUNT ROGERS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

BY-LAWS AMENDMENT I

As allowed under section 1401.1 of said By-Laws, the following addition was approved by the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board at their December 12, 2018 meeting, to be effective immediately.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

Section 608.0 Electronic meetings may be held consistent with the Virginia Freedom of

Information Act § 2.2-3708.2.

Signed:

Michael Miller, Chair Date

PY’18 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Strategic Planning Committee

One-Stop Operations & Delivery-System Committee 1. Michael Miller* 1. Carol Blankenship* 2. Joe Ferrell 2. Larry Lindsey 3. Josh Lewis 3. Jimmy Smith 4. Robert Goldsmith 4. Pam Allison 5. Perry Hughes 5. Perry Hughes 6. Brenda Sutherland (CB) 6. Rex Hill (CB) 7. Jay Williams (CB) 7. Rob Gropman (CB)

Training Provider/Individual Training Account Committee

Budget & Administration Committee

1. Tim McVey* 1. John Overton * 2. Josh Lewis 2. Terry Smusz 3. Jarod Iroler 3. Austin Phipps 4. Jeff Dunnack 4. Shirley Carlson 5. Apprenticeship Rep 5. Charles Andrews

Outreach & Publicity Committee Policies & Procedures Committee 1. Mark Tapp* 1. Howard Bartholomay* 2. Austin Phipps 2. Karen Akers 3. Charles Andrews 3. Robert Pierce 4. Karen Akers 4. Kerri Williams 5. Terry Smusz 5. Mary Ann Gilmer

Youth Committee Executive Committee 1. Greg Atkins* 1. Mike Miller – Chair 2. Jennifer Hawks 2. Joe Ferrell – 1st Vice Chair 3. Shirley Carlson 3. Howard Bartholomay – 2nd Vice Chair 4. CTE Rep 4. Carol Blankenship 5.Jordon Loupe 5. Jeff Dunnack 6. Tim McVey 7. Mark Tapp * Denotes Chair

Training Provider PY 18 Certification Timeline

10/1/18 Mail/email letters requesting Provider & Program data to Training Providers and Program Operators

10/30/18 Data due back from Providers

11/20-30/18 Review by Training Provider Committee 12/12/18 Review and approval by WDB 12/20/18 Certification Letters to approved Providers 2/28/19 All data entered into the State Approved Provider database

Executive Summary – October 24, 2018 Staff Activities

• System Building/Backbone Organization Support o Go Virginia

Member of Region 1 Hire Education Committee Member of Region 2 Workforce Committee

o Ongoing:

Work Ready Community Steering Team and regional lead Program development/oversight of the Pathways to the American Dream initiative for Areas 1,

2, 3 & 17 Management Team for the HEART Project (Heart of Appalachia Collaborative Economic

Transition) Working with United Way SWVA to support the Financial Stability activities in the region Working with United Way on the regional “dash board” for MR PDC Continued support of all four, and leadership of one, Business Solution Units Center of Excellence Board Director’s Member (Chair of the Partner Committee) Montgomery Chamber of Commerce Education and Talent Committee Member NRV Regional Commission and MR Planning District CEDS committee Career & Technical Education Advisory Board member: Bland, Carroll, Giles, Montgomery,

Smyth and Washington Counties and City of Radford

• Community Outreach o RU Business Leader’s Reception o United Way SWVA Leader’s Breakfast 9/26/17 o Volunteer @ Career Expo 9/26/17 o Accountable Care Community (ACC) Focus Group 10/18/18 o Panelist at the Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity 10/22/18

• Business Engagement/Outreach o Employer Conference 8/23/18 o Utility Trailer Tour 9/21/18 o Royal Molding Tour 9/21/18 o Volvo Driving Success Team Event 9/27/18

• Staff training and development

o General B. Suthers and M. Holliday FOIA Training 9/5/18 S. Layman Economic Empowerment Train the Trainer 9/14/18 J. Bolte, R. Sturgill, L. Annis, S. Layman and M. Holliday Welding Experience 10/17/18

VBWD One-Stop Report New River/Mt. Rogers Workforce Development Board Wytheville One-Stop Campus and Radford Affiliate Site

Reporting Period: July 1, 2018 – September 30, 2018 (YTD) In alignment with the balanced scorecard approach, each Local Workforce Development Board will forward a quarterly report to the Virginia Board of Workforce Development to include:

Customer Service Job seeker customer satisfaction survey results (% of respondents)

Very Satisfied – 100% Satisfied – NA "These people are the nicest around. They always help in every way”. “No matter what questions we ask, they always answer and help in every way”.

Business customer satisfaction survey results (% of respondents) No new business customers during September

Very Satisfied – 100% Satisfied – NA

Operations Number of new “participants” (job seeker customers) for the one-stop

Wytheville –173 Radford – 310

Number of hires attributed to the One-Stop Center Wytheville – 25 Radford - 27 Number of training activities completed 73

Number of workforce credentials attained 62 - 85% of individuals trained attained a credential

Number of new employers registered in Virginia Workforce Connection (VWC)

Wytheville – 13 Radford - 16 Number of new job orders entered into VWC Wytheville – 399 Radford – 773 Number of services to employers in VWC Wytheville – 2,843 Radford – 2,266

Number of job seekers registered in VWC Wytheville – 6,102 Radford – 9,065 Number of employers served by partner staff

(An employer “served” is one who had a defined workforce need and received a solution developed by one or more One-Stop Partners.)

Wytheville – 409 Radford - 214

Resource Management Narrative which describes adherence to the Resource Management Plan arrangement

Memorandum of Understanding and partner resource sharing meetings are being held. Partner meetings are held regularly to exchange information: 08/06/2018 Partner Meeting – 10 Attendees 09/05/2018 Partner Meeting – 17 Attendees Business Services Units in Abingdon, Wytheville, Galax, and Radford continue to be active and participate in sponsored activities including Job Fairs.

Professional Development List of professional development and other activities completed

Professional and other activities completed by staff include: 07/17 & 08/21 Southwest Training Center Informational Sessions and Job Fair – 35 participants during July & August 07/31 & 08/22, 08/29 Trade Sessions Xaloy – 5 participants during August 07/17 Dish Network TAA Certified 07/25 Titan Wheel TAA Certified & 09/05 TAA Session 08/09 Rapid Response Sessions for Bristol Compressors 4 sessions were held for 298 individuals -TAA petition filed 08/01 the investigation is still in process. Most workers are still employed, 115 employees have left the company, 337 will be employed until 10/31. 08/10 Bristol Compressors Job Fair – over 40 businesses attended 08/27 & 09/06 Rapid Response Magic Mart Pulaski & Galax – 13 & 20 workers per site participated 09/27 Ames Textiles Inc, Christiansburg, filed a TAA petition – 3 workers 09/05 Rebranding training with Kimber Simmons 09/27 Volvo Appreciation Dinner Job Fairs: • 09/05 Service Master • 09/06 Results • 09/06 & 09/07 Averitt • 09/06 Federal Mogul • 09/07 Volvo Hiring Event • 09/10 Virginia Tech • 09/27 New River Valley Mechanical

Number of frontline staff trained and certified in compliance with State policy

20 total - 1 Wytheville and 1 Radford front line staff received NAWDP certification on 08/31

Success Story: Tierra Brown

Tierra Brown was referred to the WIOA adult program internally by the People Incorporated Head Start program where she was working as a Teacher’s Assistant/Bus Aide with the Head Start program. As a condition of her employment, Tierra was required to obtain her Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 90 days of hire. She had attempted to take the CDL learner’s test three times on her own and was not successful in passing the written portion of the test. This can be a great challenge for individuals wishing to work through all local head start programs; though individuals have the passion to work with our children, the mechanical aptitude required to obtain a CDL permit is not always one of their strengths. Tierra realized how difficult this endeavor was going to be and feared that she would not be able to meet this requirement of her employment. One of the biggest barriers that Tierra now faced was that due to her prior failed attempts at passing the written test, she would now have to take a week long training course through a truck driving academy prior to being eligible to retake the written test a fourth time. This week long course cost $500 and, on Tierra’s limited income, she knew she could not pay for the training. That is when Tierra was referred to Christina Tyler within the Workforce Development Department.

Throughout their initial interactions, Christina learned that Tierra was a mother of three, a member of our National Guard, and was receiving benefits from the local Department of Social Services. Christina was able to quickly determine Tierra’s eligibility to receive services through the WIOA Adult program. Tierra completed written assessments to gauge her ability to complete the CDL training. She demonstrated both an interest and aptitude through her TABE and CareerScope results which enabled her to move forward with the truck driver training course with the support of the WIOA Adult program. Tierra successfully completed and passed the week long training and the DMV test on her first attempt.

Although Tierra was still working through the head start program, she was looking for other opportunities to increase her level of employment and in-turn her self-sufficiency. Soon after attaining her license, her case manager Christina Tyler assisted her with applying for a position with the Bristol City VA Public Schools as a Teacher Assistant/Bus Aide. She was hired for this position and is now working in a full-time position with benefits. As a result, Tierra received a 52 percent increase in pay, earning $13.61 per hour. Tierra is very grateful for the assistance and opportunities received through the Workforce program and feels that without the WIOA program she would not have been successful in attaining her goals.

Area Layoffs and Closures

October 9, 2018

Company Event Affected Employees

Announcement or Effective

Date

Status

Southwestern Virginia Training Center Hillsville, VA

Closure 300 June 2018 On-going

Norsdon Xaloy Pulaski, VA

Closure 146 December 2017 On-going

Dish Network Christiansburg

Layoffs 400-450 Media announcement

March 13, 2018

On-going

Wade’s Grocery Dublin

Closure 42 April 2018 Completed

Magic Mart Galax

Closure Not Announced

June 2018 On-going, Closure date:

November 1, 2018 Rite Aid Marion

Closure 20 June 16, 2018 Completed

Bristol Compressors Washington County

Closure 470 (+22 temp agency employees)

Media announcement July 31, 2018

Closure date: August 31, 2018-October 31, 2018

New River/Mt Rogers Companies receiving assistance through the Heart Project:

• AMR • HEYtex: BondCote • Camrett Logistics • Clarke Precision Machining • Coalfield Services/Kore • Cogar Manufacturing • Commonwealth Manufacturing & Development Inc. • Darco Southern • East River Metals • General Engineering • Hollingsworth & Vose • Longwall Associates • Mayville Engineering Company (MEC) • Southwest Specialty Heat Treat • United Industrial Services, Inc. • The Williams Company • Wolf Hills Fabricators

Business Contacts: 3rd Quarter 2018

July • American Merchant: Met with company representatives along with People, Inc. to discuss

workforce services available to the company. Also toured the facility. • Longwall Associates: Met with company representative to talk about training needs and possible

incumbent worker assistance through the Heart Project and Pathways. • Hollingsworth & Vose: Met with HR Manager, Plant Manager and employees that have been

enrolled in Pathways as incumbent workers. Discussed the benefits of the trainings (2 were enrolled in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and 1 in Black Belt) to the employees and the company. Also discussed other workforce needs.

• Volvo Trucks: Worked with HR staff to plan and execute a job fair to fill an immediate need as well as create an applicant pool for future hiring needs. The job fair saw a jobseeker turn out of over 1000. Over 500 were able to go through the application/interview process and a second event was scheduled to allow the others the same opportunity.

• Darco Southern: Worked with staff to create a job description for the company’s open sales position.

• Spectrum Brands: Working with HR staff and NRCC on a possible incumbent worker training opportunity for a small cohort of Machine Set-Up Technicians to receive MT1 certification.

• Wolverine Advanced Metals: Worked with company and NRCC on an application for assistance for Instrumentation and Electric Control training for incumbent workers.

• ProChem, Inc.: Working with HR staff and the SVAM CoE to develop a second customized welding training program for their certified welder. This training would allow the company to handle all of their welding needs in-house, saving them time and money.

August

• Assisted in the planning and implementation of Job Fair for the employees soon to be displaced by the closure of Bristol Compressors. Over 200 job seekers attended. Participating companies: AccuForce-Bristol, ACT, AGC Flatglass North America-Abingdon, Ambulance Service of Bristol, Inc., AT&T, AtWork-Bristol, BAE Systems, Becker Global America, Brock, Coalfield Services Inc., Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Columbus McKinnon, DENSO, DialAmerica, Electro-Mechanical Corp., Elwood Staffing-Bristol, Express Employment Professionals-Johnson City, Food City/Food City Distribution Center, General Dynamics, General Engineering Company, HSN, HVAC, Inc., Innovate Medical, Kelly Services, Kennametal, Klockner Pentaplast, MiniFibers, Inc., Mullican Flooring, MXI Environmental, Paramont Mfg LLC, Partner Industrial, Philip Morris USA / US Smokeless Tobacco Co, Rogers Petroleum, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group (SPVG), Seaman Corporation, Somic America, Inc., Strongwell, SWVA Regional Jail Authority, Tadano Mantis Corporation, The Robinette Company, TN Tennessee, LLC, Tri City Extrusion, Universal Fibers, Utility Trailer Mfg Co-Atkins, Utility Trailer Mfg Co-Glade Spring, Virginia Forest Products, Virginia Laser Corp., Woodgrain Millwork, Inc., Zenith Power Products and ZF

• Virginia Highlands Workforce Exchange: A panel of three regional businesses spoke to workforce partners (24 partners attended). Each business shared: an overview of the company; the skills, certifications and traits that they are looking for in potential employees; information about their

hiring process; and how best for jobseekers to connect with them. Participating companies were: Food City/KVAT, Holston Medical Group and Zenith Power Products.

• Spectrum Brands: Working with HR Staff and Pathways Staff to enroll two maintenance employees in HVAC training at NRCC through the Pathways Project. Once these employees have finished their training, their new knowledge will allow the company to no longer rely on outside contractors for HVAC maintenance and the employees will receive a pay increase.

• Volvo Trucks: Assisted HR staff in planning of a follow up event for those that attended the July job fair but were unable to interview. We designed an event that allowed job seekers to schedule an interview time which lead to a more organized and less stressful atmosphere. The job fair on August 21 in Wytheville had more than 200 participants. We also worked on plans for another event in Dublin in early September.

• Fort Chiswell Machine Tool Products: Talked with staff about assistance available to them through the Heart Project. Also talked about workforce services including internship and OJT opportunities. Connected with People, Inc’s Youth Program.

• New River Computing: Worked with company on travel reimbursement for employee that completed training in July (ITIL Foundations). Another employee completed training in August (CompTIA Project +).

• Commonwealth Senior Living: Invited company representative to speak at the NRV Business Services Meeting. They shared information about their current job openings, hiring practices, needed skills and certifications, and how best for job seekers to connect with the company.

• Summit Beverage Company: Attended a resource meeting with company representative to talk about their needs. Shared information about workforce services and contacted company to get job descriptions to share with WIOA Adult and Youth programs.

• Core Health & Fitness: Shared information about opening for welders with Pathways participants. Shared resume of Pathways supported welder with company

• Ambulance Service of Bristol: Connected company with Pathways staff to talk about opportunities for EMT students supported through the Pathways project.

• Kollmorgen Corporation: Shared information about presentations from VEC Employer Conference with HR staff.

• Utility Trailer Mfg Co.-Glade Spring: Worked with company to plan an on-site job fair for 2nd Shift Assembly positions. Assisted with design of event flyer and marketing the event through partners, social media and email blasts to VEC registrants.

• Shared employment opportunities: Montgomery County, Valley Staffing, and Core Health & Fitness.

September

• Assisted in the planning, marketing and implementation of a Manufacturing Career Fair in Wytheville. Approximately 70 job seekers attended. Participating companies: ABB, AtWork Personnel-Wytheville, BAE Systems, Coalfield Services Inc., General Dynamics, Integer, Klockner Pentaplast, Korona Candles Inc., Mayville Engineering Company, Mohawk, Phoenix Packaging Operations, Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products, Somic America, Inc., Southwest Specialty Heat Treat, Utility Trailer Mfg Co.-Atkins, Volvo Trucks North America, Westaff, and WorkForce Unlimited.

• Camrett Logistics: Met with HR staff to talk about workforce needs including possible solutions to need for digital literacy training. Shared job descriptions with workforce partners.

• Volvo Trucks: Assisted with 3rd job fair event of the summer. Over 200 job seekers attended. As of the end of September, the company has hired 250 from the summer job fairs. The company expects to continue to add employees through October with a total of 1300 new hires from October 2017-October 2018. Also talking with the company about ways to assist with their need for skilled workers: Finish Painters and Welders. Working on a planned facility tour for the two welding classes at WCC.

• Hollingworth & Vose: Working with company and DOLI to help update the company’s registered apprenticeship program for Maintenance Technicians.

• Line Power: Facilitated a ‘Listen and Learn’ tour for workforce partners of the company’s Bristol facility. Talked with HR staff about their interest in Certified Production Technician (CPT) training.

• Utility Trailer Mfg Co-Glade Spring: Followed up about the company’s job fair – over 180 job seekers attended. Facilitated a ‘Listen and Learn’ tour for workforce partners of the company’s facility. Talked with HR staff about their current needs and how best for job seekers to connect with them.

• Royal Building Products: Facilitated a ‘Listen and Learn’ tour for workforce partners of the company’s Atkins facility. Talked with HR staff about occupations and workforce needs.

• MEC: Talked with company and SVAM CoE about the feasibility of a customized welding training to help fill their open positions. Company has a need for 10-15 welders, specifically TIG welders.

• Shared employment opportunities: Montgomery County, Blacksburg Transit, and BackCountry.

SUCCESS STORY October, 2018

Pathways Supports Local Businesses’ Efficiency

and Lean Manufacturing Goals

All businesses strive to deliver higher quality products at lower costs while adding value for the customer. One of the aims of the Pathways to the American Dream project is to support businesses in their efforts to sustain and grow. Recently we were able to assist three companies in their advancement toward efficiency and lean manufacturing goals by supporting their training efforts. Hollingsworth & Vose in Floyd is a seventh generation family-run company and a global leader in the supply of advanced materials for filtration, battery separator and industrial applications; James Hardie in Pulaski is an industrial building materials company that specializes in fiber cement products; and the recently founded Wolf Hills Fabricators in Abingdon is a company that fabricates metal and steel for structural purposes. Each of these companies worked with our Business Services Coordinator, Kimber Simmons, to see how we might be able to support their efforts. Although they each had slightly different needs, Kimber was able to use both the Pathways and Heart projects to assist them, which ultimately contributed great value to each company.

Hollingsworth & Vose identified three employees to go through training. New River Community College provided Lean Six Sigma Green Belt to two employees, and the Southwest Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence provided Lean Six Sigma Black Belt to one employee. The project the Green Belt employees worked on will increase efficiency and save the company significant money, and the Black Belt employee’s project will increase production capacity. This employee was co-enrolled in the region’s Heart Project and Pathways. Leadership at H&V was very pleased with the overall process and outcomes and stated, “We support a culture of engagement where employees utilize the lean six sigma methodology and cross-functional teamwork to continuously improve our products and processes. The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce

Development Board has been a champion in creating awareness Darrell Quesenberry during

Black Belt training.

Vince Hatcher, H&V Plant Manager (L), Liz Annis, Pathways Navigator (beside Mr. Hatcher), Doug Robinson, H&V HR Manager (R), and Kimber Simmons (far right) pose with the three participants (L to R), Susan Leonard, Matt Peters, and Darrell Quesenberry.

about regional lean six sigma training opportunities and the potential funding offered through applicable grants.” The company also noted the supply chain savings of $20,000 annually this training opportunity will generate—in addition to “other long-term benefits.” Further, the company stated about its Black Belt employee, “He is now engaged in a significant project to increase the capacity of one of our key production lines. The project will improve service and create new sales opportunities for our growing business. These two projects demonstrate the power of this training in developing the knowledge and skills of our employees, who in turn will help us deliver more value to our customers.” James Hardie developed a Continuous Improvement team, and Kimber was able to work with New River Community College’s MTC program to provide training for three employees to earn their Green Belt certification. One of the participants is now leading this inaugural Continuous Improvement Team. Like H&V and James Hardie, Wolf Hills Fabricators had a growing concern about efficiency so contacted Kimber about possibilities. Kimber worked with Virginia Highlands Community College’s MTC program to provide the Green Belt training and certification. Three employees from Wolf Hills were supported—two from the Pathways project and one from the Heart project. The company is currently in the process of obtaining their ISO Certification. The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board is pleased to play a role in the growth and development of local companies through opportunities like our Heart and Pathways to the American Dream projects. We strive to truly listen to our businesses and work with them in delivering quality service so they can sustain and grow. For more information about the Pathways to the American Dream project, contact the project manager, Jenny Bolte, by calling (540) 838-9400 or email Jenny.Bolte@VCWNRMR.com.

Wolf Hills Fabricators

2018 Workforce Development Board Meeting Schedule

February 28, 2018 April 25, 2018 June 27, 2018 August 22, 2018 October 24, 2018 December 12, 2018 (Joint with Elected Officials)

All meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of alternating months at the Wytheville Meeting Center (behind Wytheville Community College) beginning at 10:00 a.m.

2019 Workforce Development Board Meeting Schedule

February 27, 2019 April 24, 2019 June 26, 2019 August 28, 2019 October 23, 2019 December 11, 2019 (Joint with Elected Officials)

All meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday* of alternating months at the Wytheville Meeting Center (behind Wytheville Community College) beginning at 10:00 a.m. *December is the second Wednesday

Effective 1/1/18

Travel Reimbursement Request

I hereby certify that on ____________________ I traveled to attend a _______________________________________ meeting scheduled that same date. I am requesting travel reimbursement as follows: __________ X $0.545/mile = $ _______________________ Total Miles Reimbursement Requested ____________________________ Name ____________________________ ______________ Signature Date