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Northwest Private Industry Council
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Minnesota WorkForce Center (MNWFC) Logo.
Frequently Asked Questions    

  1. What is the Job Description for a NWPIC Member?

  2. What is the Local Elected Official (LEO) Board?

  3. What is Expected of a NWPIC Member?

  4. What is the Role of a NWPIC Member on the Workforce Council?

  5. What is the Role of a NWPIC Member in the Community?

  6. What is the Role of Each of the Committees?

    Executive Committee

    Personnel Committee

    Legislative Committee

    Marketing Committee

    Operations Committee

    Youth Council

  7. What is the NWPIC Service Area?

  8. Who Are the Staff Contacts at the WorkForce Centers?

  9. Who are the NWPIC Partner Agencies and What is a Brief Explanation of Their Role?

  10. What Are the Services that the NWPIC Provides?

  11. Who Are the Customers or Clientele of the NWPIC?



    1. What is the job description for a NWPIC member?
  12. The Workforce Council, in partnership with the Local Elected Official Board, is responsible for the development of the local plan for Workforce development.

  13. The Workforce Council is responsible for the selection of youth providers by awarding contracts on a competitive basis to program operators, based on the recommendations of the Youth Council.

  14. The Workforce Council shall identify eligible providers of training services in the Workforce Service Area.

  15. The Workforce Council is responsible to conduct oversight with respect to local youth program activities, local employment and training activities, the one-stop delivery system in the Workforce Service Area.

  16. The Workforce Council shall assist the Governor in developing the statewide employment statistics system (One-Stop Operating System).

  17. The Workforce Council shall promote the participation of private sector employers in the statewide workforce investment system and ensure the effective provision, through the system, of connecting, brokering,and coaching activities, through intermediaries such as the WorkForce Centers in the local area or through other organizations, to assist such employers in meeting hiring needs.

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    2. What is the Local Elected Official (LEO) Board?

  18. The Local Elected Official Board was established through a joint powers agreement whereby each of the seven counties of Northwest Minnesota have designated the Northwest Regional Development Commissions' Board of Directors as the Local Elected Official Board on matters concerning workforce investment activities.

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    3. What is expected of a NWPIC member?

  19. To represent the interests of all the people served by the Northwest Private Industry Council.

  20. To keep all confidential information confidential.

  21. To approach all board issues with an open mind, prepared to make the best decision for the whole organization.

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    4. What is the role of a NWPIC member on the Workforce Council?

  22. Council Members must make sure that the needs of the people being served by the NWPIC are being met.

  23. Council Members must ensure that the funding authorized for workforce development is responsibly and effectively spent.

  24. Council Members must play an active role in supporting the organization and the mission of the organization.

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    5. What is the role of a NWPIC member in the Community?

  25. Workforce Council Members are expected to be representatives of the NWPIC in their local communities.

  26. Workforce Council Members are expected to serve as a liason between the NWPIC and the community group that they represent with the interchange of information going in both directions.

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    6. What is the role of each of the Committees?

    Executive Committee

  27. Consists of the four elected officers of the NWPIC and the elected chairs of the Marketing Committee, the Planning Committee, and the Youth Council.

    Personnel Committee

  28. Includes only the four elected officers of the NWPIC.

  29. The meetings of the Personnel Committee are held in closed session.

  30. The purpose of the Personnel Committee is to deal with personnel issues dealing with NWPIC staff.

    Legislative Committee

  31. Updates Northwest Workforce Area Facts for distribution to legislators and local elected officals.

  32. Develops local legislative priorities that support and enhance the local workforce development system. These legislative priorities will include NWPIC and WorkForce Center partners issues.

  33. The Workforce Council members and the NWPIC Executive Director will follow-up with local legislators on a continuous basis through the legislative session through personal contact, phone calls, e-mail and by letter to keep them aware of local priorities and to solicit their support on developing issues.

    Marketing Committee

  34. Develops useful information to educate potential clients and area employers regarding available NWPIC programs.

  35. Promotes the activities of the NWPIC through the use of news releases, client success stories, general news articles on members and program services, brochures, group presentations and other means designed to increase the visibility of the NWPIC in the eyes of the general public.

  36. Develop a comprehensive marketing system geared to help the NWPIC meet established goals and objectives.

    Operations Committee

  37. Reviews planning guidelines, participates in the development of the Annual Plan and makes recommendation on the Annual Plan to the Workforce Council.

  38. Establishes the criteria to be used in request for proposals for the selection of vendors and program operators. Makes recommendations to the Workforce Council in regard to the selection of vendors and program operators.

  39. Responsible for the development of the Annual Report.

  40. Responsible for providing training opportunities for NWPIC Council Members, Local Elected Officials, NWPIC staff and program operator staff that meets identified training needs.

    Youth Council

  41. Responsible for developing the portions of the local youth plan.

  42. Responsible for recommending eligible providers of youth activities subject to the approval of the Workforce Council.

  43. Responsible for conducting oversight with respect to the eligible providers of youth activities.

  44. Responsible for coordinating youth activities authorized under WIA in the local area.

  45. Responsible for other duties determined to be appropriate by the chairperson of the local board.

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    7. What is the NWPIC service area?

  46. The NWPIC Workforce Service Area consists of seven counties in Northwest Minnesota; Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau Counties

  47. See section titled "Service Area Map" for a map of the seven counties that comprise the Workforce Service Area and for a map of the Service Provider locations.

  48. NWPIC services may be accessed through the WorkForce Centers in Crookston and Thief River Falls. Additional information may be accessed through the DEED offices located in East Grand Forks and Roseau or through Inter-County Community Council in Oklee.

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    8. Who are the staff contacts at the WorkForce centers?

  49. Any WorkForce Center staff person can answer your questions concerning the NWPIC and the WorkForce Investment Act or will refer you to appropriate persons as necessary.

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    9. Who are the NWPIC partner agencies and what is a brief explanation of their role?

  50. The primary partner agencies of the NWPIC in the WorkForce Center System are the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Minnesota Department of Rehabilitation Services, and Inter-County Community Council.

  51. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development serves as the primary labor exchange offering free services to employers and to the general public in meeting the employment needs of both groups.

  52. Rehabilitation Services provides Vocational Rehabilitation services to people with disabilities who need assistance in getting ready for employment, in finding employment, and in keeping a job.

  53. Inter-County Community Council provides Job Training assistance to low income youth who are currently attending school.

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    10. What are the services that the NWPIC provides?

  54. The NWPIC does not deliver any direct client services but serves only as the grant recipient and administrative entity for the Workforce Investment Act and the State of Minnesota Dislocated Worker Program in conjunction with the Local Elected Officials.

  55. The NWPIC has chosen to contract with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Inter-County Community Council for the delivery of client services.

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    11. Who are the customers or clientele of the NWPIC?

  56. The primary customers of the NWPIC are the employers and job seekers within the Workforce Service Area.

  57. Some of the programs administered by the NWPIC target specific populations such as low-income youth, welfare recipients, and dislocated workers.

  58. The NWPIC also collaborates with area high schools, post-secondary education, chambers of commerce, corrections, juvenile justice, economic development, labor organizations, social service agencies, and other community based organizations.

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