A.I. Bright Promise Program awards 2011-2012 school year scholarships

-By Jim Dewalt
Associated Industries President/CEO

Even though we are currently in a recession, polls say that Washington State employers continue to face a gap between the number of graduates with the right skills and the number their companies need to thrive – with nursing, technology and business operations the hardest hit fields.

I believe that impacting this situation is the prohibitive cost of a diploma, and with the state cut in funding for colleges, that gap is expected to grow. In fact, Georgetown University's recent study on education and the workplace found that by the year 2018, two-thirds of the jobs in our state will require postsecondary education and training.

That’s one reason why Associated Industries took on the task three years ago to provide funding for one-half tuition scholarships for students, through our Associated Industries Bright Promise Program. The need – quite obviously – is great.

See the stack of papers to the right? That stack represents the 340-some applications Associated Industries received this year alone from qualified students hoping to be awarded an A.I. Bright Promise Program scholarship.

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In an E-lert issued earlier this month, A.I.’s legal department reviewed the Washington State Medical Use of Marijuana Act (MUMA) and a recent decision issued regarding MUMA. For those who missed that E-lert, the information is repeated here. READ MORE

Instant Sign Factory owner says “Everyone needs a sign”
                          
Celebrating their 20th year in business, the Instant Sign Factory not only serves Inland Northwest customers, but reaches throughout the US, thanks to the web, social networking and referrals. Their business is based on the premise that businesses expect a timely turn-around when it come to signs, banners, graphics, decals, vehicle graphics, window lettering and more.

“Producing high quality products quickly is more achievable today,” says owner Dave Nail, “thanks to continuing improvement in technology and communication.” Dave says the Internet has also sped up the ordering process. READ MORE

Mark your calendar and get registered for Associated Industries Training, Briefings and Workshops.
Contact Clydene Franklin at cfranklin@aiin.net or 509.326.6885 or 800.720.4291.

Thursday, July 14, 2011: Wage and Hour Considerations   
Are you finding it more difficult to determine whether your workers are employees or independent contractors? Wonder when individuals are exempt from overtime compensation? Or how to pay for travel time? Here’s a class to help you understand wage and hour issues. You’ll learn:

• Who is an employee and who can be classified as an independent contractor
• What makes an employee exempt or nonexempt and what those terms really mean 
• What time is and is not considered 'hours worked"
• When training and travel time must be compensated
• How and when to calculate overtime
• Why "comp time" should not be used
• What breaks and meal periods are required by law
• How and when an employer may make deductions from employees' wages
• When a former employee must receive his or her final paycheck

Morning Briefings, presented by A.I. In-house Counsel, along with our HR department, occur on the second Thursday of every other month.

• Respond to a writ of garnishment or wage withholding order
• Address issues of validity
• Deal with administrative orders
• Manage multiple orders of garnishment, including child support
• Handle continuing writs of garnishment
• Determine what portion of an employee's income is exempt from garnishment and what portion is not
• Avoid employer liability issues related to treatment of garnished employees

Long Term Care "CLASS Act" -- What does it mean for your business?

Recently, Associated Industries sponsored a Long Term Care Seminar to help employers understand the new Long Term Care CLASS Act and its ramifications. For those unable to attend, one of the presenters,  Mark Smalling, LifeSmart Retirement Solutions, LLC, offers some additional information.

Long-Term Care Planning: Baby Boomers and Longevity Trend Increase Demand

With the aging Baby Boomer generation, increased life expectancy and the cost of health care services on the rise, the issue of long-term care (LTC) is becoming an issue of major importance to both consumers and policy makers. You, too, may be wondering if LTC insurance makes sense for you and your family.
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, when all baby Boomers will be over 65, those 65 plus will comprise over 20 percent of our population. By 2050, the number will be more than double the 2010’s number, and the number of people 85 or older will be more than triple. READ MORE

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