May 2018

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're currently doing and what we can do for you.
A new way to build a career in the construction industry
A new program at CMCC is enabling students in the college's building construction technology program to combine classroom and lab time with paid employment in the field. The program is proving to be a win-win for students and employers. Students earn a degree, gain industry-recognized skills, and are paid for on-the-job training. Employers get highly-trained employees who have the skills needed to advance in the industry. The participating firms include Wright-Ryan Construction of Portland; Fortin Construction of Auburn; Scott E. Nason Builders of New Sharon; CWT Builders of Peru; and Dan Catlin Construction of Pownal. Learn more.
Sunday River, CMCC, and SMCC cook up new apprenticeship model 

SMCC and CMCC are teaming up with Sunday River Resort on a new culinary apprenticeship program that will provide Sunday River skilled workers for its restaurants and food outlets.

Up to 15 new and current Sunday River employees will begin taking culinary classes in September while working full-time at the resort. Participants will take classes either on-site or online, taught by either Sunday River chefs or CMCC and SMCC instructors.

Upon successful completion of the 4,000-hour apprenticeship, participants will become Certified Culinarians through the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The program will be the ACF's only culinary apprenticeship in New England. At the same time, apprentices will receive college credits and can earn a college degree during the apprenticeship.

Dana Bullen, Resort President and General Manager, called the partnership "exciting, innovative and forward-thinking." Sunday River Resort will pay the college tuition for those in the apprenticeship program.

"These team members will receive an incredibly valuable experience, not to mention a degree, which ultimately positions them in the highest demand both here at Sunday River as well as throughout our parent company Boyne Resorts' entire network," Bullen said.
YCCC adds more training in precision machining 

Demand for graduates of YCCC's precision machining program is so high that graduates routinely secure jobs even before they graduate.

This fall the college is expanding its offerings with a new additive manufacturing program that seeks to prepare an additional 210 students over three years with the skills that are in critical demand by major York County employers.

Working in partnership with area manufacturing firms, the program provides multiple entry points to education and training in precision machining and offers non-credit, stackable training modules that will allow students to quickly enter the workforce in areas such as robotics, quality control, and machine operation. Learn More.
MCCS training grants help employers bridge the skills gap

Workforce development grants from the MCCS Maine Quality Centers (MQC) program are helping Maine businesses expand, train their workforce, and provide new job opportunities for underemployed and unemployed individuals. Current projects include:
  • Here Engineering Services has partnered with SMCC to provide pre-hire training for software development positions at the Brunswick-based company. The company expects it will need to hire 20 software developers in Maine within a year.
  • SMCC has expanded its partnership with Old Port Wool and Textile in Westbrook to provide training for up to 12 additional Maine residents to prepare them for positions as professional stitchers. Training includes LEAN manufacturing, sewing, and ESOL support.
  • YCCC is providing supervisory, LEAN principals, Kaizen workshop, and critical thinking training for up to 60 employees of Village Candle, Inc.
  • Funding from MQC is allowing KVCC to train up to 20 Maine residents for careers as medical assistants. Courses start July 9th. For more information contact Karen Delile.

Would your company benefit from a workforce training grant? Contact Dan Belyea to discuss your needs. 

A passion leads to a practical solution...and a degree

This month, some 3,000 students will graduate from Maine's seven community colleges. Many will enter the Maine workforce, bringing with them skills that are in high demand across the state. Others will continue their education, having found their passion and purpose while studying at community college. Sarah Fallon is one of those new graduates. Like so many other Maine community college graduates, she is optimistic about the future and eager to make a difference.

Sarah Fallon
Sarah Fallon of Clinton was interested in finding a more sustainable way to produce food for her family after becoming pregnant with her first child. It was such an important issue to her that she enrolled in KVCC's sustainable agriculture program.

Today, she is about to graduate from the program whose classroom is the college's 120-acre farm. The hands-on education not only furthered her passion for sustainable farming, it also encouraged her to think outside the box or, in her case, outside of the watering feeders for the chickens on the farm.

Sarah thought the farm should switch from water dishes, which tend to get dirty quickly, to nipple waterers, but the systems can be expensive. So she discovered a way to make the nipples using a 3-D printer. Her ingenuity and passion for the land were recognized this spring when the Maine Sunday Telegram and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association awarded her a $1,500 Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarship.

Sarah will use the award when she transfers to the University of Maine this fall to pursue her bachelor of science in sustainable agriculture.

"Before going to KVCC I had no inclination that I would ever go to a university," she says. "After learning so many amazing things at KVCC, I find myself wanting to learn more. I am very excited about what the future holds." 
News Briefs

MCCS names Executive Director of Workforce Training
Dan Belyea
Longtime EMCC and MCCS administrator Dan Belyea has been named to lead MCCS workforce training initiatives. The newly created position is focused on forging strong partnerships with employers in order to develop innovative, responsive solutions to workforce challenges across the state. In his new role, Dan will oversee the Maine Quality Centers program and will work in close collaboration with workforce divisions at each of the seven community colleges. Contact Dan.

A new generation of skilled workers for Maine's logging industry
Maine's first post-secondary training program for future operators of mechanized logging equipment will begin training its second cohort in June. Launched in the summer of 2017, the program is a partnership between the community colleges, the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine, and industry members. To learn more, watch a promotional video or email Leah Buck.

CMCC President Dr. Scott Knapp
Scott Knapp's "amazing legacy"
Dr. Scott Knapp, President of Central Maine Community College, has received the 2018 President's Award from the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contributions to the community.
Watch the video profile here or read more .

Seeking skilled workers, employers come to campus
Maine employers are spending a lot of time on campus this spring, connecting with students who are about to graduate with the skills that are in high demand by Maine industries. Recently, representatives of General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, and Associated General Contractors of Maine travelled to NMCC to meet with students in the college's building construction and precision machining programs.

"We need employees with the skill sets developed by these colleges," says Russell Chaput of Pratt & Whitney. "By connecting with these programs and students on a regular basis, we continue to grow our talent pipeline with the skills needed to support our growth."

 
A powerful stamp of approval
WCCC is helping to increase the number of technicians in Maine's outdoor power equipment industry. Its program in powersports/small engine technology recently received accreditation from the Equipment & Engine Training Council. Read how Mark Roussel says he found "the best job he's ever had" after completing the program.

Training for skilled jobs at BIW 
SMCC Instructor John Gallagher watches as Mark Girardin of Lewiston tries his hand at plasma cutting as part of a training program between SMCC, Maine Quality Centers, and General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works. The first group of students graduated from the manufacturing technician training program in April and will now interview at BIW for skilled jobs with the company. 

Add to your watch, reading, and listening list:
  • NMCC has joined other business and community leaders in an ongoing workforce development effort called the Northern Maine Growth Initiative, which was featured on WAGM 8.
  • Several MCCS students are sharing their stories in a new public awareness campaign designed to highlight the benefits of Maine's community colleges. Listen to their stories.
  • KVCC student Vincent "Vinnie" Birtwell, who is enrolled in KVCC's sustainable construction program, was featured in a recent episode of Maine Cabin Masters.
  • SMCC Instructor Dan Abbott shares what his colleagues have been doing lately with silly string to teach about the Internet of Things.
  • KVCC's culinary arts and sustainable agriculture programs were featured recently in the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel. Read more. 
  • EMCC building construction students were featured on WABI TV for their work on a local Habitat for Humanity home. Watch here. 
Maine Community College System
207-629-4000 | info@mccs.me.edu | www.mccs.me.edu
323 State Street |Augusta, ME 04330

Like us on Facebook