January 14, 2020 - Minutes of Public Meetings - Apprenticeship and Training Council

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Mr. Brian Cavey called the Council meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. at the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (I.E.C.) Chesapeake Chapter, 8751 Freestate Drive, Suite 250, Laurel, Maryland 20723 and welcomed all Council members, staff and guests in attendance. He thanked Mr. Shmelzer for hosting the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council meeting at I.E.C.’s facility. He also recognized Mr. William Taylor, past Chairperson of the Council, who was in attendance at the meeting.

PRESENT:

COUNCIL MEMBERS
Brian S. Cavey - Chairperson Employee Representative
Allen B. Clinedinst III - Employee Representative
Norbert R. Klusmann, Sr. – Employee Representative
Neil E. Wilford, Jr. – Employee Representative
David J. Wilson, Sr. – Employee Representative
Leon W. Bromley - Employer Representative
Michelle L. Butt - Employer Representative
Grant Shmelzer - Employer Representative
David Smarte - Employer Representative

Ronald Leonard - USDL/OA Ex Officio Consultant to the Council

OTHERS:
James Rzepkowski - Assistant Secretary for Workforce Development and Adult Learning, Maryland Department of Labor
Christopher D. MacLarion – MATP
Kelton Addison - MATP
Ginamarie Best - MATP
Kevin L. Hunt - MATP
Teresa Mena - MATP
Jennifer D. Runkles - MATP
Patty Shreves - MATP
Jane Sinclair - MATP
John P. Taylor - MATP
Stephanie Anderson - Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors of Maryland
Valerie Brennan - Baltimore County Public Schools
Peter P. Demchuk - I.B.E.W. Local No. 24
Alicia Dennis - Maryland Department of Labor
John Dumler - Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 100- Washington, D.C. Area
Roseanne Fish - Maryland Department of Labor
Kirston Graves - Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter
Kendra Greas - IntelliGenesis, LLC
Kathy Gress - Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Cumberland Valley Chapter
Jennifer Griffith - Maryland State Department of Education
Leza Griffith - DLLR/OAG
Chris Hadfield - Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter
Anita Hammond - Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare
Tricia Harvey - JESCO, Inc.
James Hoos - Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local No. 24 JAC
Jeremiah Jensen - IntelliGenesis, LLC
Stevie Keeley - Badger Electric, Inc.
Mike Mahar - Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 100
Lauren Markley - Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
Kaitlin Marsden - Maryland Department of Labor, Office of the Secretary
Kiera McCarthy - Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare
Mike McHale - I.B.E.W. Local No. 24
Angella Moon - Maryland Department of Labor
Kristin Navarro - Howard Community College
Haunani Pearson - Pacific Architects and Engineers, Inc. (PAE)
Blair W. Phillips - John W. Tieder, Inc.
Olayta Rigsby - Maryland Higher Education Commission
Erin Roth - Maryland Department of Labor
Valerie Shuford - National Association of Landscape Professionals
Jeffrey W. Smith - Maryland Department of Labor
David Springham - Baltimore JATC for the Electrical Industry
Adrienne Summers - Howard Community College
William Taylor - Past Chairperson, Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council
John F. Vontran - Baltimore-DC Metro Building and Construction Trades Council
Charles Wallace - Maryland State Department of Education
Karla Whittaker - Howard Community College
Laura Wright - Maryland Department of Labor

Assistant Secretary Rzepkowski welcomed everyone to the first Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council meeting of 2020 and wished all in attendance a happy new year. He reminded Council members that the legislature was now in session with new presiding officers in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. He informed the members that they would be receiving a memorandum from Secretary Robinson on what they could and could not do as a member of a board or commission in terms of testifying before the legislature. If they are testifying, they need to state that they are testifying as an individual or on behalf of their organization that they are representing.

I. The first order of business was the approval of the minutes of the November 12, 2019 Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council meeting. It was announced that the minutes of the November 12, 2019 Council meeting would be presented for approval at the March 10, 2020 Council meeting.

II. DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

A. Mr. MacLarion wished a happy new year to all Council members,
staff and guests in attendance. He announced that 2019 was the first time that the program had finished with over 10,000 apprentices for the second consecutive year. He thanked the Council, sponsors, employers, colleges, school systems, and all partners who have helped to make that growth possible.

B. Mr. MacLarion made a staffing announcement that Mr. Vontran was no longer a staff member and had moved on to another opportunity. He added that January 6, 2020 was his last day. He expressed his appreciation for Mr. Vontran’s five years of service to the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program. He noted that Mr. Vontran was present and invited him to come forward to the front. Mr. Rzepkowski also expressed his appreciation for Mr. Vontran’s contributions and on behalf of Secretary Robinson presented Mr. Vontran with a Secretary’s citation.

C. Council members were informed that the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local No. 24 would be conducting their related instruction classes at nearby St. Vincent Pallotti High School while their training center was undergoing renovatations and expansion.

D. Council members were provided with an update of the status of the Apprenticeship and Training Fund. Mr. MacLarion reported that the balance as of December 31, 2019 after all obligations was $868,544.97. Contributions coming into the fund were $30,519.18 for the month of November 2019 and $19,091.54 for the month of November 2019.

E. Mr. MacLarion made note of the number of reviews that were on the agenda again and added that many sponsors have already had their second review since the transfer of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program from the Division of Labor and Industry to the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning. He stated 43 reviews have been scheduled to take place in the next 75 days or so that will be on the March and May agendas. He added that at the Council’s suggestion, reviews of programs with fewer than five apprentices will be placed on agendas but will still not require Council action. To help reinforce the need for reviews, a reminder email for sponsors would be going out regarding them the items that they would need to have on hand at their review.

F. Council members were informed that the Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act had been passed by the Senate and what would be required of the Maryland Department of Labor under that Act.

G. Mr. MacLarion reminded Council members, sponsors and employers to continue to submit success stories that could be used to promote interest in apprenticeship.

H. Council members,sponsors and employers were reminded that as the tax year winds down that there were still tax credits remaining. Tax credits are $1,000 for each eligible registered apprentice.

I. Mr. MacLarion informed Council members that Youth Apprenticeship is the Apprenticeship Maryland Program. There continues to be 15 school systems participating in the Apprenticeship Maryland Program with Prince George’s and Calvert Counties in the process of coming onboard.

J. Mr. MacLarion updated the Council on Ralph G. Degli Obizzi & Sons, Inc. He stated that following the November 12, 2019 Council meeting they had been sent a letter informing them of the deficiencies that had been found in the administration of their apprenticeship program and the measures that they needed to take to remedy those deficiencies. They were given a thiry day period to remedy the deficiences along with the opportunity to request additional time to remedy them. They in turn sent a letter indicating their willingness to remedy the deficiencies along with a request for an additional sixty days to do so which has been granted.

K Mr. Shmelzer inquired about the updating the logos on Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program forms. Mr. MacLarion responded that that was in the process of being done. He asked sponsors who found any forms that still had old logos on them to bring them to his attention.

III. OLD BUSINESS:

A. PROGRAM REVISIONS:

1. Pacific Architects and Engineers, Inc. (PAE) (Jane Sinclair) - Revision to add the occupations of Network Communications Technician and Systems Administration Technician. Related instruction to be provided by the College of Southern Maryland.

This item was postponed at the November 12, 2019 Council meeting at the request of the sponsor.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Mr. Smarte, seconded by Mr. Wilford and unanimously approved.

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

A. NEW PROGRAMS:

1. JESCO, Inc. (John F. Vontran) – Occupation of Construction Equipment Mechanic. Related instruction to be provided in- house.

Mr. MacLarion presented this request for registration of Standards of Apprenticeship to the Council and introduced Tricia Harvey who was in attendance representing JESCO, Inc.

A motion to approve this request for registration of Standards of Apprenticeship was made by Mr. Klusmann, seconded by Ms. Butt and unanimously approved.

2. National Association of Landscape Professionals (Jane Sinclair) - Occupation of Landscape Management Technician. Related instruction to be provided on-line by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Request for registration of an Affirmative Action Plan with apprentice selection procedures and goals and timetables for minority and female apprentices.

Ms. Sinclair presented this request for registration of Standards of Apprenticeship to the Council and introduced Valerie Shuford who was in attendance representing the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

A motion to approve this request for registration of Standards of Apprenticeship was made by Mr. Shmelzer, seconded by Mr. Smarte and unanimously approved.

A motion to approve the Affirmative Action Plan with apprentice selection procedures and goals and timetables for minority and female apprentices was made by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Ms. Butt and unanimously approved.

3. IntelliGenesis, LLC (Christopher D. MacLarion) – Occupations of Program Manager and Data Science Practitioner. Related instruction to be provided in-house.

Mr. MacLarion presented this request for registration of Standards of Apprentticeship to the Council and introduced Jeremiah Jensen, Chief Operating Officer, and Kendra Greas,
Human Resources Manager, who were in attendance representing IntelliGenesis, LLC.

Mr. Clinedinst wanted to know whether the wage rates shown on the Standards Report Form were for the total compensation package or whether they were just the hourly wage rate. Mr. MacLaion replied that they were just the hourly wage rate.

A motion to approve this request for registration of Standards of Apprenticeship was made by Mr. Wilford, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

B. PROGRAM REVSIONS:

1. Howard Community College (John F. Vontran) – Revision to add the Occupation of Biomedical Engineering Technician. Related instruction to be provided by Howard Community College. Request for approval of qualifications and apprentice selection procedures for the occupation only.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Mr. Wilford, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

2. Badger Electric, Inc. (John F. Vontran) – Request for reactivation of Standards of Apprenticeship for the occupation of Electrician.

Mr. John Taylor informed Council members that this program was was originally registered in 2013 and they immediately registered their first cycle of apprentices. That was followed by a break in apprentice activity and the program became inactive. They now have apprentices to register and want to reactive their apprenticeship program.

A motion to approve the request for reactivation of Standards of Apprenticeship for the occupation of Electrician was made by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

3. Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (John F. Vontran)- Request to revise the qualifications for apprenticeship, apprentice selection procedures and related instruction
curriculum for the occupation of Licensed Practical Nurse.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Mr. Shmelzer, seconded by Mr. Smarte and unanimously approved.

4. Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare. (John F. Vontran)- Request to update the Standards of Apprenticeship for the occupation of Envronmental Care Supervisor.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Mr. Klusmann, seconded by Mr. Shmelzer and unanimously approved.

5. Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors of Maryland, Inc. (John F. Vontran) – Request for approval to add the Carroll County Career and Technical Education High School as a school-to- apprenticeship partner.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Mr. Smarte, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

6. Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (John F. Vontran) – Revision to add the occupation of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Associate. Related instruction to be provided by Montgomery College.

Mr. Shmelzer noted that one of the minimum requirements for apprenticeship was to be a Maryland resident. He stated that given their location they might consider expanding that area.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Mr. Wilford, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

7. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 486 JATC (Christopher D. MacLarion) – Request for the approval of revised Standards of Apprenticeship which included related instruction, work processes, apprentice wage schedule,journeyworker hourly wage rates and workforce analysis. These standards will supercede any approvals prior to this approval date.

Employee Representative Allen B. Clinedinst III recused himself from this item of Council business.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Ms. Butt, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and approved with seven (7) Council members in favor of the motion, none opposed and one (1) abstention.

8. John W. Tieder, Inc. (Jane Sinclair) – Request for registration of revised Standards of Apprenticeship for the occupation of Electrician.

A motion to approve this revision was made by Mr. Shmelzer, seconded by Mr. Smarte and unanimously approved.

C. PROGRAM REVIEWS (Five (5) or More Apprentices):

1. Baltimore Operating Engineers Local No. 37 JATC (Kelton Adddison and Kevin Hunt).

A motion to accept this review, with staff findings and recommendations, was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Shmelzer and unanimously approved.

2. Mid-Atlantic Carpenters’ Training Centers (Kelton Addison).

A motion to accept this review, with staff findings and recommendations, was made by Mr. Shmelzer, seconded by Ms. Butt and unanimously approved.

3. Finishing Trades Institute of Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Vicinities (Ginamarie Best}.

Due to the low completion rates that had been found, Ms. Best recommended that a follow-up review be performed within one year.

A motion to accept this review, with staff finings and recommendations, and with a follow-up review to be performed within one year was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Ms. Butt and unanimously approved.

4. Bilbrough’s Electric, Inc. (Jane Sinclair).

A motion to accept this review, with staff findings and recommendations, was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and unanimously approved.

5. John W. Tieder, Inc. (Jane Sinclair).

A motion to accept this review, with staff finding and recommendations, was made by Mr. Smarte, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

6. Association of Air Condition Professionals (John F. Vontran).

A motion to accept this review, with staff findings and recommendations, was made by Mr. Shmelzer, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

7. Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter (Christopher D. MacLarion).

Employer Representative Michelle Butt recused herself from this item of Council business.

A motion to accept this review, with staff findings and recommendations, was made by Mr. Smarte, seconded by Mr. Shelmzer and approved with seven (7) Council members in favor of the motion, none opposed and one (1) abstention.

8. I.E.C. Chesapeake, Inc. (Christopher D. MacLarion).

Employer Representatives Leon Bromley and Grant Shmelzer recused themselves from the consideration of this item of Council business.

Mr. MacLarion provided Council members with a summary of this review that had been initiated on July 10, 2019.

Mr. Wilford expressed his opposition to the ratio of two apprentices to one journeyworker. He stated that a former Council member had stated that it was needed in order for small contractors to be able to compete. He added that that reason was not in the mission and policies of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council.

He went on to note that the review stated that the sponsor has over 200 Participating Employers and 800 active apprentices. He stated that for the previous review on the agenda, the records of 47% of their Participating Employers had been reviewed while the records of only 28% of I.E.C.’s Participating Employers had been reviewed. Seven Participating Employers within the 28% sample reviewed used the extended ratio (two apprentices to one journeyworker). He asked whether there were any additional Participating Employers outside of the 28% sample that also used the extended ratio. Mr. MacLarion explained how the sample sizes has been determined and how the data had been reviewed.

Mr. Wilford asked that if there were to be a downturn in the economy and the graduation rate dropped below the baseline rate would be ratio automatically revert to one apprentice to one journeyworker Mr. MacLarion responed that there was no mechanism for the ratio to automatically revert to that level.

Mr. MacLarion stated that the completion rate of the 2014 cohort of apprentices was used as a baseline for the quality of the sponsor’s program. The 2017 cohort of apprenties was the first full cohort of apprentices to participate under the revised ratio.

Mr. Wilford had questions about the OSHA-MOSH data that had been submitted in the review. Mr. MacLarion explained that data and how it had been reviewed.

Mr. Wilford went on to ask additional questions regarding the approval of I.E.C.’s ratio requst and the procedures that had been followed in doing so.

Mr. Wilford recommeded that the Council accept the review but that the ratio revert to one apprentice to one journeyworker.

Mr. Cavey inquired as to whether that would be two motions or one. Ms. Griffith responded that according to the ratio guidance, if the Council voted to not accept the review than the ratio would automatically revert to one apprentice to one journeyworker.

Ms. Griffith reminded the Council that what was before them was a program review and not a ratio review.

A motion to not approve the review was made by Mr. Wilford and seconded by Mr. Clinedinst. The vote resulted in a tied vote with three (3) Council members in favor of the motion, three (3) opposed and two (2) abstentions. The Chair then voted in favor of the motion and the motion then carried with four votes in the affirmative.

When asked what would happen next with the review, Mr. MacLarion replied that it would come back before the Council at a later date without the information pertining to the ratio.

Mr. Smarte requested a more indepth review of the nature of the safety question and what the deficiencies were.

D. PROGRAM REVIEWS (Fewer Than Five (5) Apprentices):

1. The following program reviews had been performed and the programs were found to be conducted in a satisfactory manner. [No Council Action Required]:

a. Department of the Navy, NSWC IHEOTD (John F. Vontran) -
Occupation of Machinist.

b. Franklin Apprenticeships (John F. Vontran) – Occuption of of Computer Support Specialist (Cloud Support).

E. VOLUNTARY REQUEST FOR CANCELLATION OF STANDARDS OF APPRENTICESHIP:

1. ATR Biotech effective September 10, 2019.

A motion to approve the request for voluntary cancellation of Standards of Apprenticeship for ATR Biotech effective September 10, 2019 was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Smarte and unanimously approved.

2. Verso Corporation Multicraft JAC effective November 8, 2019.

A motion to approve the request for voluntary cancellation of Standards of Apprenticeship for Verso Corporation Multicraft JAC effective November 8, 2019 was made by Mr. Bromley,
seconded by Mr. Wilford and unanimously approved.

3. Verso Corporation Electrical JAC effective November 8, 2019.

A motion to approve the voluntary request for cancellation of Standards of Apprenticeship for Verso Corporation Electrical JAC effective November 8, 2019 was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Wilford and unanimously approved.

F. OTHER BUSINESS:

1. Delaware Elevator, Inc. (Jeffrey W. Smith) – Request to award a posthumous Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship.

Employer Representative David Smarte recused himself from this item of Council business.

A motion to approve this request made by Mr. Bromley and seconded by Mr. Clinedinst was approved with seven (7) members, none opposed and one (1) abstention.

2. Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Metropolitan Washington Chapter (John F. Vontran) – Request for after-the- fact registration and completion of an appfretice HVACR Technician.

A motion to table this request until a representative of the sponsor is in attendance at a Council meeting was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and unanimously approved.

3. Request for the approval of DARCARS Automotive to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Ginamarie Best).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and unanimously approved.

4. Request for the approval of Ernest Maier, Inc. to be an eligible employer for Appenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Ginamarie Best).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Smarte, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and unanimously approved.

5. Request for the approval of the Montgomery County Public School System to be an eligible employer for Appenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Ginamarie Best).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Smarte and unanimously approved.

6. Request for the approval of Stanley Black and Decker to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Teresa Mena).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Shmelzer, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and unanimously approved.

7. Request for the approval of CBIZ, Inc. to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jennifer D. Runkles).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and unanimously approved.

8. Request for the approval of MEC, Inc. to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jennifer D. Runkles).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

9. Request for the approval of Moran Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jennifer D. Runkles).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Smarte and unanimously approved.

10. Request for the approval of Turner Wealth Management to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jennifer D. Runkles).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Smarte, seconded by Mr. Wilford and unanimously approved.

11. Request for the approval of Wade Architecture, LLC to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jennifer D. Runkles).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Wilford and unanimosly approved.

12. Request for the approval of B & B Sport Aviation to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Patty Shreves).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Wilford, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

13. Request for the approval of Choptank Transport to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Patty Shreves).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Wilford, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

14. Request for the approval of the City of Salisbury to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Patty Shreves).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Klusmann and unanimously approved.

15. Request for the approval of Quevera, LLC to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Patty Shreves).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Smarte, seconded by Mr. Shmelzer and unanimously approved.

16. Request for the approval of Baltimore City Public Schools to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jefffey W. Smith).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Klusmann, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

17. Request for the approval of the National Security Agency to be an eligible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jeffrey W Smith).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Klusmann, seconded by Mr. Bromley and unanimously approved.

18. Request for the approval of Sparrows Point Country Club to be an elibible employer for Apprenticeship Maryland (Youth) (Jeffrey W. Smith).

A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Bromley, seconded by Mr. Smarte and unanimously approved.

Mr. Leonard wished eveyone in attendance a happy new year. He provided the Council with an update on the efforts being made to prepare for the expansion of RAPIDS as new states come on the system. He added that Mr. MacLarion has been actively involved in that effort.

Mr. Wallace thanked the Council for their approval of all of the Apprenticeship Maryland proposals. He announced that the 47th annual Skills USA – Maryland state competitions would be held on April 17 and 18, 2020.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council was adjourned at 12: 01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,

Christopher D. MacLarion
Secretary
Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council