Whether you are looking for a job or some employees, mark your calendars for January 18, 2012 for the Job Fair. Be sure to look for the "Green Zone" where the Hawaii Green Jobs Initiative will be operating. For more information on how to get involved go to this website: http://www.successhi.com/SuccessHI-2011/Job_Fairs.htmlWednesday, January 11, 2012
Job Fair Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Whether you are looking for a job or some employees, mark your calendars for January 18, 2012 for the Job Fair. Be sure to look for the "Green Zone" where the Hawaii Green Jobs Initiative will be operating. For more information on how to get involved go to this website: http://www.successhi.com/SuccessHI-2011/Job_Fairs.html
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Employers Seeking To Be Green
No, we're not talking about a hook-up with Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog, we're talking about being involved in the DLIR Green Jobs Initiative. What does "Being Green" mean outside of Kermit's world? The answers are coming to Kauai on January 25, 2012. To register for the Green Workforce Development Summit or more information see: http://www.kauaichamber.org/_library/documents/012512_kauaigreenworkforcedevsummittregform.pdf
The issues about defining "green" are included on the Hawaii Green Jobs Initiative Website at Green Job definitions. This week the DLIR launched an online searchable Green Employers List and the green jobs they offer.
The Green Employers Directory provides information about what these green workerrs do and includes the skills and training needed for these green jobs. This online searchable database is a product of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The initial Green Employers Directory was one of the by-products of a survey conducted in 2010 which can be viewed by clicking here.
Once an employer is registered they can update the jobs and information in the Directory. It's a great free resource for both employers and employees who are looking to find forward-thinking members of our community. There are currently 276 employers listed State-wide, although some firms are listed more than once to represent different locations. To access the directory, go to https://lmi.ehawaii.gov/green. Businesses wishing to be added to the directory may contact the DLIR Research and Statistics office at (808)586-9013 or dlir.rs.greenjobshawaii@hawaii.gov.
The DLIR also has green connections that provide money to support On-The-Job training (click on "Employers" to get to On-the-Job training page) of employees through the State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) led by the Workforce Developmen Council. ("WDC"). All the documents and requirements of the programs offering 50% to 90% reimbursement of training fees are on line to review. This is the place where the WDC keeps all the new programs and opportunities posted. You can keep up to date with them on Facebook. "Like" http://www.facebook.com/sesphawaii#!/sesphawaii
The WDC, or the idea and policy people of DLIR, are currently working on the premier "green" industry of Agriculture. Looking to the community for answers there are public forums set on each island to assess the skills and training needed for current and future workforces. The next one is January 24, 2012 in East Hawaii. The WDC is looking for members of the agriculture community to define the requirements to grow and develop the agriculture industry in their counties, so these forums will be very focused on the needs of the area where they are convened. An example of the agenda from the Oahu can be found on the sesphawaii.com webpage under the NEW! Agriculture Skill Panels Materials (at the bottom of the left hand side grey list of choices.) If you are interested in attending you can contact stanford.j.fichtman@hawaii.gov .
There is a lot of opportunity out there for both employers and employees to catch the "green" wave -- and DLIR has ideas and programs to help! Let us. Get in touch with being green.
.
The issues about defining "green" are included on the Hawaii Green Jobs Initiative Website at Green Job definitions. This week the DLIR launched an online searchable Green Employers List and the green jobs they offer.
The Green Employers Directory provides information about what these green workerrs do and includes the skills and training needed for these green jobs. This online searchable database is a product of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The initial Green Employers Directory was one of the by-products of a survey conducted in 2010 which can be viewed by clicking here.
Once an employer is registered they can update the jobs and information in the Directory. It's a great free resource for both employers and employees who are looking to find forward-thinking members of our community. There are currently 276 employers listed State-wide, although some firms are listed more than once to represent different locations. To access the directory, go to https://lmi.ehawaii.gov/green. Businesses wishing to be added to the directory may contact the DLIR Research and Statistics office at (808)586-9013 or dlir.rs.greenjobshawaii@hawaii.gov.
The DLIR also has green connections that provide money to support On-The-Job training (click on "Employers" to get to On-the-Job training page) of employees through the State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) led by the Workforce Developmen Council. ("WDC"). All the documents and requirements of the programs offering 50% to 90% reimbursement of training fees are on line to review. This is the place where the WDC keeps all the new programs and opportunities posted. You can keep up to date with them on Facebook. "Like" http://www.facebook.com/sesphawaii#!/sesphawaii
The WDC, or the idea and policy people of DLIR, are currently working on the premier "green" industry of Agriculture. Looking to the community for answers there are public forums set on each island to assess the skills and training needed for current and future workforces. The next one is January 24, 2012 in East Hawaii. The WDC is looking for members of the agriculture community to define the requirements to grow and develop the agriculture industry in their counties, so these forums will be very focused on the needs of the area where they are convened. An example of the agenda from the Oahu can be found on the sesphawaii.com webpage under the NEW! Agriculture Skill Panels Materials (at the bottom of the left hand side grey list of choices.) If you are interested in attending you can contact stanford.j.fichtman@hawaii.gov .
There is a lot of opportunity out there for both employers and employees to catch the "green" wave -- and DLIR has ideas and programs to help! Let us. Get in touch with being green.
.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Fence Erector (Chain-link) Classification Returns
If you do any kind of public works construction you may be aware that the classification of Fence Erector (Chain-link) was removed from the Wage Rate Schedule 476 issued Sept 19, 2011. The classification was removed because our federal counterparts under the Davis-Bacon Law had removed the classification on their General Wage Decision for Hawaii and Hawaii law says Hawaii rates can't be lower than the federal rate. (See Section 104-2(b)(2), HRS). The problem is the application of the removal from the federal and State wage schedules had different effects.
In the federal environment each construction project has only one wage rate schedule for the duration of the project, so federally-funded jobs previously bid and awarded were not effected. This is not so with the State and county public work projects covered by the Hawaii little "Davis-Bacon", Chapter 104, HRS. Hawaii law requires contractors to keep pace with any changes in the wage schedules over the duration of the project. (See Section 104-2(c), HRS) This small difference made a big impact.
When the federal government changed the classification of work formerly done as FENCE-ERECTOR (Chain-link Fence) to LABORER II, the State was obligated by law to "not be lower than the federal rate."(See Section 104-2(b)(2), HRS). Wage Rate Schedule 476, issued on September 19, 2011, reflected this requirement by removing the classification of FENCE ERECTOR (Chain-Link) and requiring contractors to pay those employees as a LABORER II. This represented a 110% increase for contractors who had open jobs for FENCE ERECTORS (Chain-Link) increasing the rate from $20.87 per hour to $43.61 per hour. This dramatically impacted several ongoing public works and contractors.
On December 23, 2011, the USDOL rescinded their previous wage decision on FENCE ERECTOR (Chain-Link) and reinstated the classification. Hawaii followed suit by issuing an interim wage rate schedule WRS #477, effective as of December 26, 2011, reinstating the classification and rate of $20.87 for FENCE ERECTORS (Chain-Link).
In a closing note you will notice the WRS #477 also lists the Classification of PAINTER. When preparing an interim wage rate schedule outside the regular issue in February and September, all classifications are notified and any other reductions in rates in effect at the time are included.
The re-issuing of the FENCE ERECTOR (Chain-Link) classification puts the prevailing area practice back in control and in compliance with Hawaii law. A great way to end the year! Have a Happy and Healthy 2012!
In the federal environment each construction project has only one wage rate schedule for the duration of the project, so federally-funded jobs previously bid and awarded were not effected. This is not so with the State and county public work projects covered by the Hawaii little "Davis-Bacon", Chapter 104, HRS. Hawaii law requires contractors to keep pace with any changes in the wage schedules over the duration of the project. (See Section 104-2(c), HRS) This small difference made a big impact.
When the federal government changed the classification of work formerly done as FENCE-ERECTOR (Chain-link Fence) to LABORER II, the State was obligated by law to "not be lower than the federal rate."(See Section 104-2(b)(2), HRS). Wage Rate Schedule 476, issued on September 19, 2011, reflected this requirement by removing the classification of FENCE ERECTOR (Chain-Link) and requiring contractors to pay those employees as a LABORER II. This represented a 110% increase for contractors who had open jobs for FENCE ERECTORS (Chain-Link) increasing the rate from $20.87 per hour to $43.61 per hour. This dramatically impacted several ongoing public works and contractors.
On December 23, 2011, the USDOL rescinded their previous wage decision on FENCE ERECTOR (Chain-Link) and reinstated the classification. Hawaii followed suit by issuing an interim wage rate schedule WRS #477, effective as of December 26, 2011, reinstating the classification and rate of $20.87 for FENCE ERECTORS (Chain-Link).
In a closing note you will notice the WRS #477 also lists the Classification of PAINTER. When preparing an interim wage rate schedule outside the regular issue in February and September, all classifications are notified and any other reductions in rates in effect at the time are included.
The re-issuing of the FENCE ERECTOR (Chain-Link) classification puts the prevailing area practice back in control and in compliance with Hawaii law. A great way to end the year! Have a Happy and Healthy 2012!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Happy Holidays!
As a reminder to everyone - the State Offices will be closed Monday, December 26 and Monday January 2.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Job Accommodation Network
This is the 10th Anniversary of the US Dept. of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). One of their most helpful programs to employers and employees alike is the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is available 24/7 and has practical, meaningful tips on employing and working with individuals with disabilities. JAN also provides free webinars every month that provide excellent training on equal opportunity issues in many areas. While the schedule is currently showing "full", there is always a chance for a last minute cancellation.
The local Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) in the Department of Heatlth is another great resource to get answers to your questions. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is working to create integrated places of employment that benefit both employers and employees with disabilities. It's a good goal for every workplace to adopt in 2012!
The local Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) in the Department of Heatlth is another great resource to get answers to your questions. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is working to create integrated places of employment that benefit both employers and employees with disabilities. It's a good goal for every workplace to adopt in 2012!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Reassignment of Administrator
The big news Inside Wage Standards is that the Administrator has been reassigned to the Director's Office and is no longer located in Room 340. I've been told this is a temporary re-assignment but am unsure how long it will last. Russell Horikawa has been Temporarily Assigned to be Acting Administrator while I'm gone.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Andrei Soto Manager of the Year for DLIR 2011
This afternoon the Department presented the Incentive and Service Awards Ceremony. Among the nominees Wage Standards was represented in three categories. Our Employee of the Year nominee was Lori Hamada in Hilo. Lori
is a Labor Law Enforcement Specialist and dedicated professional who has lived the WSD motto of service with Aloha
for many years. If everyone had Lori's
skill with people and relationships, we wouldn't have any problems to solve. This
quiet and effective investigator has accomplished so much. This year Employee of the Year went to Disability Compensation Division's Cindy Terao.
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| The Wage Rate Schedule Team- (Lto R)Russell Horikawa, Mari Imamura, Myra Oshiro, Ellie Yoshida (missing Wes Lum). |
Wage Standards also had a nominee in the Team Award Category. The Wage Rate Schedule Team, Myra Oshiro and Ellie Yoshida of Research and Statistics and Russell Horikawa, Mari Imamura and Wes Lum of the Wage Standards Division. This team issued not one, not two, but three supplemental addenda to the Wage Rate Schedule that normally comes out just twice a year. In this time of economic challenges their effort made a significant contribution to both contractors' and agencies' bottom lines. This year the Team Award went to Workforce Development Division's Youth Summer Employment Team.
Last, but not least the nominee and winner for Manager of the Year is Wage Standard's very own Andrei Soto, Hearings Branch Chief. Andrei will represent DLIR on October 14 at the State Capitol when the State Manager of the Year is awarded. The perpetual plaque presented to Andrei below revealed this is not the first time Wage Standard personnel has won the award. In 2005, Carole Hara was DLIR Manager of the Year.
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| Deputy Director Audrey Hidano, Manger of the Year Andrei Soto, and Director Dwight Takamine |
We are very proud of all the nominees and to everyone at DLIR who works so tirelessly to serve the public. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners! Your presence makes the DLIR a great place to work.
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