The MaineLinks Newsletter

Weeks of May 9, and May 16, 2022

What to Know!

If you have had a job interview recently, were you asked about your views on DEI - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? It’s an important topic! If you are not sure what these terms mean and why they are important, take some time to think about this now.

Diversity is the presence of differences within a given setting. At work, diversity could mean people with differences such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, and age. 

Equity is when programs are fair and provide equal possible outcomes for everyone. Equity promotes justice, fairness, and impartiality.  To ensure equal circumstances for each and every person across the organization, equity requires that employers recognize barriers and advantages. Barriers need to be removed, and unfair advantages need to be spotted and corrected.

Inclusion means welcoming people, so that they feel a sense of belonging and being valued in the workplace. When you are welcomed, you can feel it! Even among very diverse teams, there’s not always a feeling of inclusion. For example, women might be well represented at the senior management level, but still not feel included due to historic gender norms or salary gaps.  Inclusion is what maintains diversity in an organization. Without it, employees will not stay for long.

Has the Covid pandemic had an impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion? Experts are exploring whether pandemic-related outcomes are likely to continue the past patterns of inequality or whether this is a "flip the script" moment with the potential for change and an era of greater diversity, equity, and inclusion at work. DEI is vital to creating and maintaining a successful workplace, so that all people can thrive personally and professionally.

To be ready to discuss DEI, take the time to think about the importance of these ingredients in a successful workplace. DEI is one of our central issues in 2022, in Maine, and across all employers. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are not just topics we think about so that we are prepared for an interview. DEI is the way to move forward together!

May is:

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a chance for Lyme patients, activists and educators to spread information on how to prevent Lyme and tick-borne diseases.

Notable Quote:

 "The secret of joy in work is contained in one word—excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it." - Pearl S. Buck

Training Talk!

Good news for students in Maine! Two Years of Free Community College:  $20 million in one-time General Fund dollars to provide up to two years of free community college for all students from the high school graduating classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 who enroll in a Maine community college full-time.

Prevents Tuition Hikes Across University of Maine System:  nearly $8 million in one-time General Fund dollars to help the U Maine System keep tuition flat for in-state students and provide funds to invest in updating campus buildings.

Free Webinar on Public Service Loan Forgiveness - The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) is providing a free webinar on eligibility and waiver info for this program. This is helpful for anyone working in a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government, or non-profit organization interested in learning more about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Friday, May 13^th Register Here

Hiring Events: (Click on the “Hiring Events” link for full list)

• May 11 – Avesta Housing in Portland
• May 11 – Spring Outside Hiring Event – Lewiston CareerCenter
• May 13 – Bath Iron Works at Hinckley CareerCenter

Workshops: (click on the “Workshops” link for more)

• May 10 – Creating a Winning Resume
• May 12 – Searching for Work: Age 55+
• May 17 – Navigating Hiring Process for Individuals with a Criminal History

And MORE!

*How long can you expect your tech devices to last? How can you wipe data from your old phone before recycling it?  For info about this, check out AARP Personal Technology Resource Center  

*The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) has a wide range of resources and programs, all working to enable America's veterans, service members and their spouses to reach their full potential in the workplace.

Did you miss the last newsletter? Ensure you subscribe for more updates from the Maine Department of Labor.

Maine Department of Labor and Maine CareerCenters provide equal opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request.