MINUTES

Nebraska Career Pathways Project
FutureForce Transportation, Distribution, Warehousing and Logistics
April 21, 2006
11:30a-12:15p (Lunch provided); Tours
Host: Mid-Plains Community College, North Platte, NE
Location Room 111


Meeting Summary

Present: Lisa Dominisee (North Platte Dept of Economic Development). Milt Ehly, Joe Rowson, Greg Stahr, Tony Glenn, Lou Soukop, Ed Haynes, Jason Sokolewicz, Larry Johnson, Valerie Lefler, Dave Billings, Dave Engel, Kelly Christensen, Glenn Williams, Lyle Kathol, Greg Smith, Marilyn McGahan, Bob Blanchard, Lisa Jennings, Bill Hitesman

1. Additions/Deletions to agenda – none given

2. Approval of Meeting Summary – Tony Glenn/Dave Billings

3. Welcome our satellite sites – Omaha site - John Wees and Terri McNeely, Lois
Schmidt, Carrie Williams, Sue Larson (Lincoln). Bill thanked Marilyn for
organizing the meeting and tours.

4. Morning Tour highlights – Marilyn and others reported on the morning tour.
The highlight seemed to be the 20 below zero ice cream room; the entire distribution and operations; and the fact that it gave new insight on Wal-Mart’s issues and what they have to do to work around these. Marilyn commented on the calm, efficient atmosphere. Bob Blanchard shared that the North Platte facility is ranked 5th in the nation for distribution centers.

5.. What do we need to do to accomplish our goals over the next year? Bill noted that because the group is so large, it may be easiest to look at each subcommittee and have the chairs get together in mid-May to talk about goals and strategies for next year. Bill asked Lisa to make note of this and organize a conference call.

6. Speaker/topic list – Lisa distributed a list of topics and speakers that was started for the Omaha area. The group agreed to expand the list to include statewide speakers.

Action Item: The list will be circulated via email and posted on the FutureForce
website.

7. Technical Skills Checklists - Tony Glenn encouraged people to attend the
national Skills USA Competition– Bartel Hall in KC - June 22 – lots of vendors and
contests in all types of skill areas – concrete and masonry

b. NCE - June 7 – Kelly Christensen and Tony will be conducting a preconference
workshop –– teachers attending will receive forklift certification. Also, they will be presenting at the noon function.

8. RFID Symposium – Jason Sokolewicz reported for Phil Warren that Bellevue
University will host the RFID Symposium on August 4. Vendors, teachers, and students are welcome to attend. Topics include: Basic RFID 101; supply chain management; national speaker from Lockheed-Martin (Technology Info Systems).

Registration $49; $25 students/teachers
Sponsors: UNL, DED, Bellevue U

Jason commented that they will be building on this one for year two.

9. Committee Reports, Recommendations, and Action on Recommendations:
a. Marketing Subcommittee – Valerie shared over 12 different logos and asked folks to rate the top 5. Valerie would like everyone’s vote by May 5.

b. Valerie said that a grant was approved by CCPE for 10 teachers: Midwest Safety and Road Site applications- NASCAR, bridge building, demolition, crash testing activities will be featured. The workshop will provide hands-on experience to problem areas in the industry. Please forward information on to Valerie Lefler. Another project is the Professional Development Science and Math Summer Technology Institute. CYFS – Children Youth Families & Schools - will focus on interdisciplinary education in the math and sciences areas.

c. Warehousing & Distribution Center Operations – Marilyn said that this area will be discussed in May. The following individuals were added to the committee--Dave Engler, Greg Stahr

d. Mobile Equipment Maintenance –Lyle Kathol reported that NECC hosted diesel competition along with Jim Walsh and Dave Jacobs. Larry Johnson talked about the scholarships that have been allocated once again for the community colleges from the Nebraska Trucking Association Foundation. $1,000 truck driving scholarships have been allocated. 23 scholarships will be distributed between the 6 community colleges with programs.

e. Business Needs Assessment – Lisa will email the results to the group. They have had 48 completed surveys.

11. CBIT – Kelly Christensen – Staff hired to date: Terry Burchell (Admin Asst at Mid-Plains), Dave Engler (Director of CBIT) – Two faculty will be hired to assist with teaching curriculum and with the mobile lab. CCC will focus on strategies to get the word out to industry and to the schools. Truck & trailer has been ordered. Tech Prep will utilize the equipment as staff development opportunities. They are currently in the process of performing a curriculum review. Marilyn reported that Mid Plains is remodeling two classrooms to adapt for railroad training. UP will install specialized software. This will expand MPCC’s training offerings significantly. Donations of track and railcars are in the process. UP is hosting a job fair today and tomorrow – hiring 100 employees. Mid-Plains will be hiring a person to develop the railroad and warehousing/distribution degrees. Bellevue U is working with Mid Plains on articulation. Central will be expanding its facilities for truck alignment. Central was given $250,000 from Caterpillar; performance engines are also being looked for use on their track. Central purchased a kit car for the track.

12. New Business:
a. John Wees shared information on a Lehigh, PA, UPS Professional Services Inc. – vocational high school – spinoff. Bellevue University is looking at a one-day camp for the Omaha area. Students would get 2 college credits.

b. Inbound Logistics – Jason reported on the 23-page feature available online at www.inboundlogistics.com

c. ATA Driver Recruitment – Larry shared information about the driver recruitment campaign that would allow for community college to insert particulars. ATA will match up to $50,000 of any dollars that are raised. Need to look at creative options through grants.

d. Low cost loan program – Larry talked about a guaranteed low-cost loan program supported by truck companies at a lower loan rate through TLC/ATA . They will also begin recruiting out of the armed forces ask companies to qualify recruits for the two-year timeframe.

e. Driver Finishing Pilot Program - Larry reported that they have received preliminary approval from DED to use customized job training dollars for a few truck companies to use their own finishing programs. Great West and Northwest insurance have agreed to participate in the pilot. The program would insure the drivers with less than 2 years experience– especially for smaller companies. Metro has agreed to pilot a Train-the-Trainer program. NBDC’s Entrepreneur Shop in Omaha has curriculum available.

Valerie encouraged everyone to fill out the logo preferences. Thanks to Bob Blanchard at Wal-Mart for lunch!

1:21p – Meeting adjourned

Next Meeting: August 3, Bellevue University (host) to be held in conjunction with the RFID Conference on August 4 at Bellevue!
12:00p – lunch
1:00-3:00p – Committee Work
3:00-4:30p - Meeting