Item Description:
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Amd 2 to Agmt PR00004134 with Project for Pride in Living LLC for the provision of a Career Pathway/Apprenticeship program at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, 04/01/22-07/31/25, increasing NTE $125,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00004134 with Project for Pride in Living LLC for the provision of a Career Pathway/Apprenticeship Program at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center during the period April 1, 2022, through July 31, 2025, increasing the not to exceed amount by $125,000 for a new total not to exceed amount of $250,000 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Hennepin County owns the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) and contracts with Great River Energy HERC Services (GREHS) to operate HERC. HERC is a waste management facility that processes 365,000 tons of waste each year as an alternative to disposal in a landfill. HERC provides 45 high wage jobs to recover energy from waste and recycle metals. Both GREHS and the county are interested in expanding the diversity of the workforce at HERC by developing and implementing a Career Pathway/Apprenticeship program. The goal of the program would be to recruit and hire three diverse candidates who would participate in a nine-month training program at HERC.
Project for Pride in Living (PPL) has more than thirty years of experience managing cross sector collaborations to implement career training services and offer trainees long-term professional growth and economic mobility. Through extensive development and evaluation, PPL has established a strong career pathway model that works best when partnering shoulder to shoulder with both education and employer partners.
PPL’s Career Pathway curriculum includes 120 hours related to the following topics: individualized career support, retention strategies, financial empowerment, strengths finders, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) workshops, navigating workplace culture, customer service, effective communication, critical thinking, teamwork, networking, goal setting and interviewing.
The program will enroll three students and run for nine consecutive months. During this time participants will work at HERC while also completing classroom training at PPL, Minneapolis College, and Heavy Metal Academy. PPL has already secured grant funding of more than $160,000 for the program.
Minneapolis College will provide 156 hours of classroom instruction on: Occupational Safety Awareness, Trade Tools, Boiler License Prep, Basic Electricity, HVAC Systems and Controls, Plumbing, Building Automations, Interpreting Building Plans and Drawings, Carpentry, Appliance Repair and Replacement. Heavy Metal Academy will provide instruction and hands-on training to operate heavy equipment used at the HERC facility.
Program participants will be hired by GREHS as temporary employees and receive an hourly wage rate of not less than $21.00 per hour with benefits. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to sit for a Boiler’s License Exam, obtain a PPL Pathway Certificate and a Heavy Equipment Operating Certificate.
This program is funded by the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
Impact/Outcomes:
At the end of this 9-month apprenticeship program, there will be an opportunity to have 3 successful graduates ready to be hired. Hennepin County and GREHS will be able to:
• Recruit motivated individuals who are committed to training and finding a career as a Utility Operator
• Create customized curriculum with credentials that can apply toward a degree
• Manage successful apprenticeship experiences for trainees and employers
• Provide job coaching and support services to individuals during training and once placed in employment
This successful Pathways program:
• Trains residents of marginalized communities for high demand fields with good wages, benefits, and a future, in both public and private sector jobs.
• Meets and exceeds employers’ needs. Hennepin County has hired 400 Hennepin Pathways graduates. Employer partners have hired more than 200. 12 months after hire, 90% of Hennepin Pathways graduates are still with the same employer.
• Increases average wages by 140% for graduates hired into Hennepin County.
• Supports employee development. More than 44% have advanced to a higher-level position within the county.
• Returns the initial financial investment in 12 to 18 months.
This board action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by helping Hennepin County and other employers in the region find qualified candidates and decrease employment disparities by creating diverse pools of well-trained and high potential applicants tailored to meet our region’s workforce needs and creating structured and connected customized education and training programs, work experiences, and support services all provided at no fee to job seekers to enable them to secure a family sustaining career or advance in an industry or occupation.
Current Request:
Authorize approval of Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00004134 with PPL for the provision of a Career Pathway/Apprenticeship program at HERC extending to 7/31/2025 and increasing NTE by $125,000 for a new NTE of $250,000. This Agreement would equip three apprentices with the skills required to be employed at HERC or similar energy facilities as a Utility Operator.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval