AROOSTOOK AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES - The Aroostook/Washington Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB) is taking the latest Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Common Measures results as a sign efforts to better employ and educate workers are working.

   Statewide for program year 2012 negotiated Department of Labor rates have been met or exceeded, and in the case of Aroostook and Washington counties the results were even better.

   In the Adult Program, 84.7 percent of the clients statewide entered the workforce, which was more than 2.5 percent higher than the target goal. In Aroostook and Washington County that figure was 94 percent. In youth programs, 90 percent of the 18-24-year-old clients in Aroostook and Washington counties were placed in employment or education, besting the negotiated goal of 62.3 percent. Statewide the number was 63.8 percent. For attainment of a degree or certificate, the numbers were even higher, 95.83 percent, well above the goal of 68.9 percent.

   "This is an exciting accomplishment for our area and is a true indication of some positive movement in our local economy, as well as the hard work and dedication of my Maine Department of Labor team in Washington County and of the Aroostook County Action Program staff in Aroostook County," said Nichole Jamison, manager Washington County CareerCenters. "These measures are not simply about people getting jobs, but represent basic skills upgrading, credential attainment and gainful employment in high wage and in demand occupations."

   Ryan Pelletier, executive director Aroostook Washington Workforce Investment Board, said not only did the state and Region 1 WIB, meet or exceed 2012 goals, but in most cases exceeded 2013 goals as well.

   "I think a lot of it has to do with our dedication of our service providers," he said. "Both of the staffs in Aroostook and Washington counties spend a great deal of time with the clients, working with them to achieve their education and training they need to meet their goals."

   Torry Eaton of the Aroostook County Action Program echoed Pelletier's sentiment thanking the front-line staffs who work with the counties' unemployed and underemployed to gain the skills to fill the needs of local employers.

   WIA funds are often used to conduct workforce education and career pathways programs, but supplemental dollars may also be responsible for the Common Measures success.

   "The availability of non-WIA funding has been a key factor in the ability of our area to increase enrollments while maintaining on course with spending," said Leane Page program director Northern Maine Development Commission. "Our WIA providers have effectively leveraged additional resources to serve 471 participants. The dedication and commitment of the WIA job counselors to elevate the skills of our workforce is to be commended."

   Our region has always stretched its dollars to make room for as many participants as we possibly can to ensure everyone gets the service they need," added Pelletier.

   Maine is comprised of four workforce investment regions. The Aroostook and Washington counties region is the largest geographic workforce investment area in the state and covers more than 9,000 square miles. Some of the responsibilities of the Workforce Development Department include planning, overseeing, and evaluating local workforce development programs, including the CareerCenter operations in Presque Isle, Machias and Calais. 

   In addition, LWIB staff direct WIA compliance through interactions and negotiations with the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services and through CareerCenter oversight.

   The LWIB also partners with the economic development community to promote the region's economic prosperity

and serves as the point of contact for business and industry, facilitating communications regarding workforce needs in our area. Through this collaboration, the LWIB assess regional business needs and aligns programs and services to meet those needs; thereby ensuring the availability of qualified workers and promoting coordination among business and the public sector.

   The LWIB is also charged by law to implement a comprehensive workforce development system that adds value for job seekers, incumbent workers and employers. Included in this plan is the promotion of strategies to encourage life-long learning, improve workplace skills and assist in the development of new training programs to benefit the region's workforce.

   And finally, LWIB staff actively seeks federal and state grant funds and builds partnerships with other agencies to offer training and education programs to unemployed, incumbent and dislocated workers and youth in the region.

   The fiscal administration of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was transferred to Northern Maine Development Commission in February 2010.

   Since 1918, Katahdin Trust Company has taken its role as a community bank seriously. What begins with dedication to superior and responsive personal service and a full spectrum of deposit accounts, loans, technologies and financial services blossoms into corporate and personal citizenship.

   This style of banking has fueled exceptional growth across 17 branch locations in northern Maine and the greater Bangor area along with a Commercial Loan Office in Scarborough. In 2012, the Bank expanded its Administration and Operations Center in Houlton to 18,000 square feet and it is home to 46 employees representing the Administration, Operations, Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Credit Control Departments.

   In total, Katahdin Trust Company employs 191 individuals and its brand of banking continues to earn recognition on a national level. Most recently, it was named a Top 200 Community Bank in America by American Banker Magazine, marking the seventh consecutive year it has been accorded that honor.   

   While the balance sheet shows more than $600 million in assets, what it does not reflect are the hours of volunteerism and leadership that are integral to Katahdin Trust Company's mission and independence, for which it has been recognized by the American Bankers Association.

   Katahdin Trust Company employees invested more than 13,000 hours in volunteer work to a host of organizations during 2012, rolling up their sleeves to lend time and talent to civic, charitable, educational and economic development endeavors.

   Corporately, Katahdin Trust Company contributed more than $100,000 to the local communities it serves by investing in diverse support from economic development groups to community activities and helping meet the needs of its neighbors through charitable organizations.