The MaineLinks Newsletter

Weeks of June 21, and June 28, 2022

What to Know!

2022 is a great time to be pursuing a new career in Maine! There are many exciting programs, resources, and support to help you to learn about interesting careers and get the education and training needed to achieve your goals.

Work for ME

is a workforce development tool to help introduce Maine’s emerging workforce to some of our key industries. Work for ME features information and stories about jobs and careers in Maine, including: financial services, construction, health care, hospitality, manufacturing, and technology.

Maine's Community Colleges

are now offering up to two years of tuition-free community college to all high school graduates from 2020-23 under a new Free College initiative. This one-time, $20 million allocation will fund a last-dollar scholarship for these students, covering 100 percent of their tuition and mandatory fees.  Interest is very high, and early reports indicate a great deal of enthusiasm for this offer. Current community college students also qualify for the program, as do home schooled students and adults who earned a HiSET or GED in 2020-23.More information about the program is available on the MCCS webpage, or at www.FreeCommunityCollegeMaine.com.

• Community colleges are adding new night and weekend nursing programs, expanding the number of seats available, and hiring more instructors in an ambitious plan to double the number of nursing graduates.
• YCCC now offers housing to full-time students in the Hampton Inn & Suites in Wells. More than 49 beds will be available in fully furnished rooms, with additional amenities on-site for residential students such as weekly housekeeping as well as pool, and fitness center access. Residents will get support and build community with students and staff through engaging programs and events.
• SMCC has opened its new Intercultural Student Center to provide guidance and a welcoming environment in support of New Mainers and others. The space will provide immigrant and other minority students a place to feel at home, connect with each other, and access resources to help them through their college journeys.

For younger students, it is not too early to explore careers too! The Maine Department of Labor and Department of Education have launched a new student career discovery dashboard that presents data on in-demand jobs and wages in a manner that is accessible to students in grades 6-12. Students can find information about the role of each career cluster in Maine’s economy with a specific data point, like how many jobs there are today, what Maine workers earn in the career, and how many job openings are projected in the next ten years. 

June is:

Caribbean American Heritage Month -  On June 5, 2006, George W. Bush issued a presidential proclamation declaring that June be annually recognized as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. During this National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we honor the generations of Caribbean-Americans who have built our Nation, shaped our progress, and strengthened our national character.  

Notable Quote:

“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory, or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible––and there is still so much work to do.” – Barack Obama

Training Talk!

Online Grant Writing Program offered in July through the UMaine Hutchinson Center: a 5-week professional development program, Grant Writing Essentials. The fee for this online, instructor-led program is $895. Need-based scholarships are available in Knox and Waldo counties. Sessions are 9 a.m.–noon on Fridays, Jul. 8, 15, 22, 29 and Aug. 5, 2022. For info, contact um.fhc.pd@maine.edu  207.338.8000.

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

June 23 – Southern Midcoast Spring Outside Event in Brunswick

July 6 – Oxford Outside Hiring Event in Oxford

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

Pre-register online for these virtual opportunities:

June 22 – Maine JobLink: Creating and Navigating Your Job-Seeker Account

June 23 – Recovery in the Workplace

June 28 – Creating a Winning Resume

And MORE!

*As the summer begins, Maine’s summer camp industry is in high gear caring for children from in and out of state. To explore Maine summer camps, click here: Find-a-Camp Tool - Maine Summer Camps (mainecamps.org)

*Attention Women Veterans! The Lewiston Vet Center and VAST invite you to a Women Veterans Appreciation Day Event on June 24, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. Lunch included, plus many activities. More info: 783-0068

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.