The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce

We’re looking forward to the return of Janet Sortor, Dan Belyea, and the Maine Community College System representatives that attended Complete College America’s All In conference this week. We can’t wait to hear about the creative insights and strategies shared by higher ed colleagues across the nation that we can implement to help drive student success and workforce development in Maine.

This week, our chief workforce development officer, Dan Belyea, and director of sector partnerships, Liz Love, represented Maine Community College System at Complete College America's All In conference. They shared how the Maine Workforce Development Compact is transforming short-term workforce training by being entirely employer-driven, delivered through Maine's community colleges and third-party training vendors. Their session explored how the Center and MCCS collaborates with over 1,700 Maine employers - representing nearly half of Maine's frontline workforce - to align education with real-time industry needs. By leveraging employer feedback, data, and partnerships, Maine's model creates actionable curricula that boost student employability and establishes community colleges as essential resources for skilled talent pipelines, ongoing training, and professional development. It's always exciting to showcase the Maine's approach on a national stage and to learn from other states about advancing workforce development. Interested in how we're building a future-ready workforce? Let's connect! #workforcedevelopment #workforcetraining #highereducation #communitycollege #employerengagement #CompleteCollegeAmerica #AllInConference #mainejobs

Exciting progress in Maine's workforce! Congratulations to the newest Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC Path training graduates at Central Maine Community College! This program equips technicians to install, maintain, and design fiber-optic networks, meeting the needs of Maine's expanding broadband industry. This graduating cohort was particularly special, comprising New Mainers with diverse backgrounds, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, and Botswana, who spoke French, Portuguese, and Lingala. Their instructor utilized translation software to overcome language barriers, enabling all students to succeed in this workforce training. Now certified and ready to enter Maine's workforce, these talented individuals will play an essential role in our state's broadband expansion. For more information on upcoming fiber optic training, visit https://lnkd.in/e5pcn-bV. These courses are offered at no cost to students and include a financial stipend for eligible students. Maine Community College System Maine Connectivity Authority #workforcetraining #shorttermtraining #communitycollege #broadbandexpansion #fiberoptic #certified

Dan Belyea, our Chief Workforce Development Officer, was honored to be invited to the White House for the Raise the Bar Conference, led by the U.S. Department of Education. This event brought together education and industry leaders to discuss the future of our workforce, including building career pathways that lead directly from education to meaningful employment. With discussions focused on strengthening place-based partnerships, advancing work-based learning, and expanding access to high-quality credentials, the conference highlighted critical ways community colleges can lead the way in transforming education and aligning it with workforce needs. At the Maine Community College System, we are committed to making higher education and training accessible, inclusive, and directly connected to the job market. This event is a powerful reminder of the role community colleges play in skilling individuals from all backgrounds to access high-wage, in-demand careers that drive upward mobility and economic growth. #RaisetheBar #UnlockingCareerSuccess #communitycollege #workforcetraining

Congratulations to the inspiring group of New Mainers who have just completed York County Community College's New Cook Bootcamp in Wells, Maine! Participants from Angola, Burundi, Congo, DRC, Gabon, and Kenya came together to build in-demand culinary skills and connect with real job opportunities. We can’t wait to see what’s next for these talented individuals as they begin this exciting new chapter in their careers!

Dive into your future with SMCC's Aquaculture Bootcamp! Experience hands-on training in Maine's thriving aquaculture industry, covering everything from aquatic environments and aquaculture production to the biology of farmed species, basic boat safety, and vessel operation. Whether you’re passionate about marine biology, sustainable farming, or simply love the ocean, this is your opportunity to learn from industry experts and gain valuable skills. Limited spots available—click here to secure yours today: https://lnkd.in/eapxa8d5 #SMCCWorkforceTraining #WorkforceDevelopment #skillupscaleup #AquacultureBootcamp #OceanCareers #AquacultureTraining

?? Join Our Team at YCCC! York County Community College (YCCC) is looking for an exceptional Instructional Designer to help us continue transforming lives and communities throughout York County, Maine. In this pivotal role, you’ll collaborate with faculty and subject matter experts to design and implement high-quality instructional materials that enhance the teaching and learning experience for our students. If you’re passionate about leveraging technology and innovative instructional design principles to create engaging, effective, and accessible educational content, we want to hear from you! At YCCC, we believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to supporting the socioeconomic mobility of our students. As an Instructional Designer, you’ll play a crucial role in aligning our educational offerings with industry needs and fostering student success. ?? Ready to make a difference? Apply today at the following link and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to driving educational excellence and community prosperity.? https://lnkd.in/ewH2nf7k #InstructionalDesigner #HigherEdJobs #InstructionalDesign #JoinOurTeam #EducationJobs #YCCC

Maine's workforce is evolving, and collaboration among our community colleges is at the heart of this transformation. The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce is proud to be part of this forward-thinking model, building pathways to high-demand careers and offering targeted training to individuals and employers alike. By leveraging short-term programs, partnerships with employers, and innovative funding, we're helping more Mainers access education that leads directly to career advancement, all while meeting the state's growing workforce needs. Read more about how we're driving change through collaboration: https://lnkd.in/eUCjhV7z Thank you to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Ascendium Education Group, L.L.Bean, The Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges, Southern Maine Community College, Eastern Maine Community College, Ronald Barba, Kate Malone, and Sarah Cox for your collaboration and production of this piece. #workforcedevelopment #MaineWorkforce #CommunityColleges #CareerPathways #EmployerEngagement #HigherEdInnovation

"The Educational Partnership Agreement with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a testament to our shared vision for workforce development and educational excellence. By providing our students access to cutting-edge facilities and subject matter expertise, we are equipping them with the skills and knowledge essential for their current and future careers. This collaboration is not just about enhancing education; it’s about strengthening our region's economic stability and supporting the critical mission of our naval forces. Together, we are ensuring that our students are prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market and contribute meaningfully to both our local community and national security." - President Fischer The full story on our partnership with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard can be found here: https://bit.ly/4d1XYYw

?? Elevate Your Leadership Skills! There's still time to sign up for SMCC's Peer to Supervisor and Advanced Management Essentials training courses! ?? Whether you're looking to sharpen your decision-making, enhance team dynamics, or inspire others, these courses are designed to equip you with the tools you need to excel in today's dynamic workplace. Don't miss out on this opportunity to invest in your future and become the leader you want to be. ?? Secure your spot now and join a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to growth and success. Email [email protected] for more information or to sign up today! #LeadershipTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #SMCC #LeadershipSkills #skillupscaleup