Narrative: III. b. 3. B. ii.

GWDB committees and functions as of December 2015 are as follows:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is a standing committee of the GWDB made up of the Board Chairperson (who shall also be the Chairperson of the Executive Committee), the Vice Chairperson, the Chairs of standing committees appointed by the Chairperson, the commissioner of DEED, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), a labor representative, an education representative and an at–large member.

The Executive Committee is empowered to meet on an interim basis between regular full Board meetings and make emergency or time–sensitive decisions when necessary. The Executive Committee has all the authority of the full Board when Board action is required. Immediate notification to the full Board will take place whenever any action is taken without prior consent of the Board. Discussion and formal approval of the action will take place at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. The Executive Committee shall monitor the work of other Board committees and the Board staff, develop agenda items, work on legislative issues and make policy recommendations to the Board.

Operations Committee

The Operations Committee is a standing committee of the GWDB, which reviews, recommends, and approves the necessary reports, information, and all requirements under the functions listed above. State agency staff members provide subject matter expertise, data, information, and recommendations to the committee. Committee members are members of the GWDB who represent business and industry, state agencies, education and community–based organizations.

Career Pathways Partnership

The Career Pathways Partnership (CPP) is an ongoing committee of the GWDB, formed to establish state leadership and an operational framework to support sector–based Career Pathways. It is a foundational group that provides an exchange of information and, through the development of short– and long–term goals, impacts Career Pathways programs and policies from a state, regional, and local perspective. The CPP is chaired by two members of the GWDB and includes a broad spectrum of members from all regions of the state, including business and industry, state agencies, education, higher education and community–based organizations.

National Governors Association (NGA) Talent Pipeline Policy Academy

The National Governors Association (NGA) Talent Pipeline Policy Academy is a cross–agency leadership team that is working to institute shared goals and strategies across the state’s education and training pipeline. The GWDB is responsible for convening and coordinating the activities of the policy academy, with technical assistance provided by NGA staff. Senior leaders from the following entities meet monthly and represent Minnesota at cross–state conferences with national experts and other policy academy participants:

• The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
• The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU)
• The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
• The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
• The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
• The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (DHR)

In addition to aligning the efforts of state government, the policy academy also seeks to coordinate, enrich, and expand existing partnerships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, while developing new partnerships to address Minnesota’s unique workforce challenges and opportunities. The policy academy’s work will conclude in July 2016.

Additionally, ad hoc committees or task forces may be initiated to address specific workforce development needs. The following are additional summaries of the work of the GWDB.

• Development of Minnesota’s Combined State Plan – The GWDB establishes a broad vision for workforce development in Minnesota, and this vision helps guide the development of Minnesota’s Combined State Plan.
• Workforce Development System Strategic Plan and Continuous Improvement – The Executive Committee of the GWDB is required to submit a report to the legislature regarding the performance and outcomes of Minnesota’s WorkForce Centers in January of each odd–numbered year.
• Designation of Local Areas – The GWDB reviews and approves Local Workforce Development Area designations.
• Development of Allocation Formulas – The GWDB reviews and approves the allocation plans development by DEED for the distribution of funds for adult employment and training activities and youth activities to local areas.
• Preparation of the Annual Report to the Secretary of Labor – The GWDB provides input on the annual report to the Secretary of Labor.
• Statewide Employment Statistics System – The GWDB works closely with DEED’s LMI Office and program managers within the agency to ensure Minnesota’s statewide employment statistics system meets the needs of state– and local–level policy makers.
• Incentive Grants and Other Federal Grants – The GWDB plays an integral role in setting the vision for and the managing of the incentive grant application process. The GWDB convenes Board members, program partners and key stakeholders to identify how incentive funds can be used to meet the demands of employers and job seekers. The GWDB plays a similar role in the development of proposals for other federal grant opportunities, where appropriate.
• Sunshine Provision – The Board shall make available to the public, on a regular basis through electronic means and open meetings, information regarding the activities of the Board, including information regarding the State Plan, or a modification to the State Plan, prior to submission of the plan or modification of the plan, respectively, information regarding membership and, on request, minutes of formal meetings of the Board. The GWDB’s accessible web site includes notices of upcoming GWDB meetings, minutes and materials from past meetings and information on each of the GWDB committees.
• Conflict of Interest – A member of the Board may not vote on a matter under consideration by the Board regarding the provision of services by such member (or by an entity that such member represents); or that would provide direct financial benefit to such member or the immediate family of such member; or engage in any other activity determined by the Governor to constitute a conflict of interest as specified in the State Plan. A Conflict of Interest statement is to be signed by Board members at the time of their appointment and on an annual basis thereafter.
• Board Staff – The GWDB staff shall be attached to the Minnesota DEED (DEED) for administrative and staff purposes. The GWDB may ask for assistance from other units of state government as it requires in order to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.
• Funding – The DEED commissioner shall develop recommendations on a funding formula for allocating Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds to the GWDB with a minimum allocation of $350,000 per year.