MINUTES

Nebraska Career Pathways Project
FutureForce Transportation, Distribution, Warehousing and Logistics
January 20, 2006
11:30 am – 1:30 pm


Meeting Summary

Present: Bill Hitesman (Chair), , Lisa Jennings, Dave Billings, Nancy Bjorkland, Kelly Christensen, Bob Clark, Bill Eakins, Tony Glenn, Alan Hartley, Susan Hooker, Cindy Johnson, Eric Jones, Lyle Kathol, Sue Larson, Valerie Lefler, Terri Lonowski, Marilyn McGahan, Dwayne Probyn, Michelle Roggasch, Greg VanderWeil, Michael Riley, Larry Scherer, Lois Schmidt, Greg Smith, Jason Sokolewicz, Greg Stahr, Ed Trout, Dennis Tyson, Bev Vonasek, Jim Walsh, Phil Warren, Carrie Williams, Dennis Tyson, Lisa Juricek, Nancy Bjorklund, Alan Hartley, Bill Hitesman, Bob Blanchard, Dwayne Probyn, Bev Vonasek, Larry Johnson, Marilyn McGahan, Ed Haynes, Lou Soukop, Cindy Johnson, Glen Williams, Jim Walsh, Shawn Klein, Lyle Kathol, Tony Glenn, Larry Scherer, Jeff Rumery, Sherry Morrow, Greg VanderWeil, Larry Rilett, and Randy Kissinger.

Bill Hitesman presided.

1. Additions or deletions to January 20, 2006 Agenda
There were no additions or corrections to the agenda.

2. Corrections, additions, approval of minutes from September 23, 2005
Motion: A motion was made by Tony Glenn to approve the minutes from November 4, 2005; Dwayne Probyn seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as published on the website.

3. FutureForce Nebraska – The Big Picture
Larry Scherer explained the background and history of FutureForce. FutureForce started after a National Governors Association meeting in May of 2004. Currently, there are five active pathways—regional and statewide. The website was used to share more information about the FutureForce initiative.

4. TDWL Mission and Goals
Bill asked Lisa to review the mission and goals of TDWL, as found on the website.

5. Committee Reports:
a. Strategic& Marketing: (Hartley (Co-Chair), Valerie Lefler (Co-Chair), Sokolewicz, Glenn, Johnson Jennings-Juricek, Terri Lonowski, Phil Warrren, Dwayne Probyn, Jim Walsh))
Committee work has been completed for this committee. Motion: A motion was made by Dwayne Probyn to amend the name of the Strategic Planning Committee to Strategic & Marketing Committee and seconded by Tony Glenn. . Motion was approved unanimously.

Discussion ensued on ways to “market” the TDWL pathway and what we are doing. Suggestions were: Making presentations at such meetings as Nebraska School Counselors, getting on the agenda at state conferences, scheduling open houses, etc.

Additional committee members were added: Valerie Lefler (Co-Chair), Terri Lonowski, Dwayne Probyn, Jim Walsh and Phil Warren.

ACTION ITEM: Valerie and Alan will look at potential promotional materials for the TDWL pathway. Suggestions were posters, billboards, etc.

b. Transportation Systems/Infrastructure, Planning, Management and Regulations (Rilett (Chair), Riley, Legler, Vonasek, Larry Johnson) - Valerie Lefler reported for Larry Rilett and distributed a listing of courses from Civil Engineering, Industrial & Management Systems Engineering and Business Administration & Management, that would align with the TDWL pathway. A mini masters program is also being planned. More information on secondary curriculum along with a government pathway will be coming at the next meeting.

ACTION ITEMS: Government pathway, secondary curriculum, committee goals - Rilett
c. Transportation Operations, Logistics Planning & Management Services (Billings/Haynes- Chairs, Johnson, Hitesman, Senator Pahls, Phil Warren and others) - Dave reported that this committee will put together a goals statement for the next meeting. He also talked about addressing TDWL careers and targeting second career changers. Phil Warren asked to be added to this committee.

ACTION ITEM: Goals - Haynes

d. Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations (Blanchard/McGahan Chairs, Milt Ehly, and others) Milt Ehly from Cabela’s was added to this committee. No report—still working on items.

e. Mobile Equipment Maintenance (Jacobs/Walsh Chairs, Hitesman, Probyn, Klein, others) Jim Walsh showed a PowerPoint presentation that is currently being used for recruiting diesel mechanics. Jim also shared how important one mechanic was in the economic well-being for his company. Jim offered to share the PowerPoint with those interested. It was suggested that it be put on the website for downloading purposes.

ACTION ITEM: Post PowerPoint on FutureForce website. (Jennings-Juricek)

f. Highway Reauthorization Grant (Hartley/Kathol/McGahan-Chairs, Johnson, Bjorkland, Glenn, Sokolewicz)

Lisa reported for Larry Johnson that he would like to continue to pursue dollars for developing private/public partnership for a low-interest, guaranteed student loan program. Nelnet (National Education Loan Network) in Lincoln currently manages and provides loan underwriting services for colleges/universities.

g. Business Needs Assessment - Scherer (Chair), Larry Johnson, Cindy Johnson, Jennings (Juricek), Sokolewicz - Lisa reported that 33 surveys have been completed. It was recommended that a list of companies who have been contacted and those who have completed the survey, be circulated to members of TDWL. Cindy Johnson, Dwayne Probyn, and Lyle Kathol volunteered to assist in bringing up the numbers in their region. Currently, there is strong representation from the Omaha area. It was also suggested that we ask our Dept of Labor representatives to assist us with the circulation of the survey.

ACTION ITEM: Circulate list of business survey completers and those contacted to TDWL committee and DOL representatives. (Jennings)

6. Report on Grants -- CBIT grant – Currently working on hiring a coordinator for the grant. Equipment has been RFPd.

7. Website Update – FutureForce Promotion Materials
Lisa shared materials that have been developed and are in the draft stage. Materials include: a folder, What is FutureForce? Insert, pathway insert, business focus insert. These materials were distributed around the room.

8. New Business:

a. Funds for TDWL – Dennis Tyson announced that the Dept of Ed has awarded the TDWL pathway with $4,500.

b. RFID Trade Show – Nebraska Logistics Council in cooperation with Bellevue University will be putting together a trade show targeted for June 2006. Phil Warren will be the lead on this project. All TDWL members are encouraged to participate.

c. Technical Skills Checklist – Tony Glenn distributed a High School/College Automotive Service Student Checklist for review and feedback. Tony would like to include this tool when he meets this summer with teachers from across the state.

d. PDP Skills USA Workshop – Tony shared that training would be hosted and held at the Dept of Ed for use of the Professional Development and Personal Skills assessment. Representatives from Tech Prep, business and industry, teachers, and counselors were scheduled to participate.

e. CALS (Career and Life Skills) Assessment – This assessment was developed by Carol Jurgens, State Tech Prep Coordinator. All are welcome to review this assessment.

f. Bright Lights Foundation – Industrial Engineering at UNL – Mike Riley reported about the Lincoln based Bright Lights Foundation that funds summer hands-on camps in the Lincoln area. The camp has been very successful in the engineering area. Camps are managed and staff by Bright Lights personnel. The University provides curriculum, when needed. Scholarships for campers are also available.

g. NelNet – Greg Stahr reported that there are sister companies of NelNet such as Education Quest and other foundations.

h. Summer Camp – Tony Glenn and Kelly Christensen are working on an all-day workshop to be presented at the Nebraska Career Education conference this June, where instructors will become certified Forklift Operators.

i. Nebraska Career Education Rollout Strategy – Tony Glenn shared a rollout strategy in to present TDWL curriculum statewide. A tour of all six community colleges and their program offerings will be included. A presentation at the Ford/AAA Auto Skills Conference is also scheduled.

Meeting adjourned at 1:45p.

NEXT MEETING: Friday, April 21, 2006 – 11:30a-1:30p
Mid-Plains Community College, North Platte, Room TBD.

Tours of Wal-Mart and another distribution company may be included. A teleconference or NetMeeting will be utilized. Dennis Tyson provided committee members a copy of the committee email distribution list to review for corrections/additions. Any changes/additions should be forwarded to Susan Hooker.