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Maine's community colleges offer affordable customized training and continuing education that give businesses and employees the skills they need to compete. Here's what we've been doing lately and what we can do for you.
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Training programs lead to job offers and new opportunitiesLast year the business and industry and continuing education divisions of Maine's community colleges provided on-the-job training and skill building to over 2,000 Mainers and 126 Maine employers. Here are snapshots from some of those programs: |
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SMCC machining students headed to work.
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Seven students enrolled in SMCC's Manufacturing Academy this past fall. The 320-hour computer numerical control (CNC) machining operations class enabled the students to fulfill various goals. Three were completing training required by their new employer, and four were looking to gain the skills needed to enter or advance in the field.
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Graduates of SMCC's medical interpreting courses.
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In recent years, SMCC has trained more than 200 individuals to serve as language interpreters in the medical setting. The college's program -- offered by its continuing studies department -- is the only approved training program in Maine. The next course starts in February. For more info, contact Peggy Fleury at SMCC.
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Bath Iron Works apprentices hone their skills.
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Seven BIW apprentices completed 54 hours of training in customized CNC milling at CMCC this past fall. They will continue their training with a CNC lathe class this spring. In addition, SMCC recently trained over 100 BIW employees in marine design and engineering and electrical topics, all funded in part through the Maine Quality Centers program. In February, another 90 BIW employees will be taking a credit-option course in marine design at SMCC.
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Put ME to Work grants now available
A new public-private partnership between Maine industries and the state's community colleges aims to prepare workers for high-skill jobs across the state. Funded by the legislature in 2015, Put ME to Work is designed to create or strengthen workforce training programs in high-demand, high-wage fields or in occupations that are in transition due to workplace changes.
The training program, which requires a 50% funding match by employers or industry organizations, is one of several workforce development programs offered by the MCCS Maine Quality Centers program. Other programs include no-cost training grants for qualified businesses seeking to expand their workforce or train current or incumbent Maine workers. For more information about the programs offered by the Maine Quality Centers, contact Jim McGowan.
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NMCC students contribute to world class eventWhen 300 of the world's top biathletes from more than 32 countries arrive in Aroostook County to compete in a major World Cup event in early February, the international media will be there. Many of the reporters will report from media booths built by NMCC's building construction technology and electrical construction and maintenance programs. The booths have been a community project involving the college, its students, and local businesses that have volunteered to transport and install the booths at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.
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Dr. Lisa Larson to lead EMCCWhen Dr. Lisa Larson joins the EMCC community as the college's new president this spring, she'll bring with her a wealth of experience in workforce development. Her many leadership positions in both technical and community colleges include supervision of the largest customized training division in Minnesota, serving over 12,000 students and employees and partnering with over 250 business and industry partners. Read more>>
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Kara van Emmerik: EMCC graduate and Chef of the Year
Kara van Emmerik says she started cooking at a young age and chose to study culinary arts at EMCC to "hone her skills." She graduated from the college's culinary program in 2014 and credits the program for much of her success. That is high praise, considering her accomplishments include being named 2015 Chef of the Year by Maine Eater . She previously served as sous chef of El El Frijoles in Sargentville until she took the helm at Dudley's Refresher in Castine. She was given the award for her skills in helping the new eatery make its mark. In the restaurant off-season, van Emmerik passes on her knowledge to others as sous chef and assistant instructor in EMCC's culinary arts program.
I credit a huge part of my success and training to the chefs in the program. They served as my mentors and truly cared about helping me in my professional journey. Even after I graduated I still looked to the instructors for guidance and advice, and they happily helped. I wouldn't change my experience at EMCC one bit. Chef Jay Demers and his team have built an incredible culinary education hub, and I am thankful every day to be a part of it.
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News Briefs
KVCC provides welding safety training for MaineDOT
Earlier this month, 36 Maine Department of Transportation employees completed an 8-hour, welding safety training course at KVCC. The training is required by MaineDOT employees who handle welding equipment and includes classroom and hands-on training. "This has been an excellent partnership for MaineDOT and KVCC. MaineDOT encourages their employees to continue their welding training by taking the welding certificate training program offered at KVCC," said Flora Stack, Director of Continuing Education and Dual Enrollment at KVCC.
Did you know? 70% of MCCS students are enrolled in career and occupational programs, and 85% of our instructional budget is focused on employment-centered education. Providing Maine people and businesses with the workforce skills they need to compete and prosper is central to the mission of Maine's community colleges. Read more>>
Eastern Maine Development Corporation honors EMCCCalling EMCC an "invaluable partner," Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) has awarded the college one of its 2015 Champion Awards. In presenting the award, EMDC cited the college's efforts to establish a training program for fine woodworkers that helped participants enter the workforce quickly. "EMCC, in particular their business and industry division, has been stellar in their support of EMDC's workforce programs and our customers throughout 2015."
CMCC and UNE partner to expand access to science degrees
CMCC life science students can now apply all credits from their associate degree program toward any of UNE's 15 bachelor's degree science programs thanks to a new transfer agreement that "provides a number of new avenues for graduates of CMCC," according to CMCC President Scott Knapp. Read more>>YCCC shines a spotlight on local entrepreneursYCCC honored local businesses at its 11th Annual Entrepreneur Awards Dinner in November. Elaine Talevi, owner of Sea-Vu Campground and YCCC's 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year, gave the keynote speech. David Moravick, vice president of commercial lending at Gorham Savings Bank, served as master of ceremonies. Various nominees and categories were recognized, including Rookie of the Year, which went to Boulangerie: A Proper Bakery in Kennebunk, and Northeast Coating Technologies of Kennebunk, which was named Employer of the Year. Read more>>WCCC business students put lessons to workStudents in WCCC's business entrepreneur class put their knowledge to practical use when they were assigned to create a small business selling lemonade. Given a starting budget and guidelines, three groups of students explored various aspects of starting a business. The strategies employed by the students were numerous and creative and included offering customers discount coupons, a variety of flavors, and free delivery. All of the proceeds were donated to charity. Read more>>SMCC trains visiting Russian firefightersInstructors from SMCC's Maine Fire Service Institute (MFSI) provided training to five firefighting professionals from Archangel, Russia, on American firefighting techniques and equipment. The group learned about U.S. firefighting approaches to emergency response, fire suppression, code enforcement, inspections, and training. MFSI provides training and education services to Maine's fire agencies and firefighters and is located at SMCC's Midcoast Campus in Brunswick. Read more>>
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