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September 2016
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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Major new investments in CMCC's precision machining lab will help prepare more skilled workers
Three grants totaling $2.85 million will fund the renovation and expansion of CMCC's precision machining technology (PMT) lab at the college's Auburn campus.
The expanded facility will allow the college to increase enrollment in its PMT program by 20%, helping to fill some 900 high-skill, high-wage precision machining vacancies that are anticipated in Maine over the next five years.
CMCC's PMT Center is the largest in the Northeast and operates around the clock to accommodate both students and businesses.
The grants include $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce; $1 million from the Gene Haas Foundation; and $250,000 from the Northern Border Regional Commission to upgrade infrastructure and job skills training across the state.
Learn more.
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New training partnerships increase skills and job security for Maine workers
Recently launched MCCS training projects are helping to upgrade the skills of over 400 employees at five Maine companies.
- At Troy Industry Solutions in Brewer, EMCC and the MCCS Maine Quality Centers (MQC) program are delivering customized, Lean training to as many as 46 workers through a $56,000 grant from MQC.
- At The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, up to 250 incumbent workers will receive training this year in areas such as time management, supervisory skills, pre-genetics, and process improvement. MQC and the lab will each fund half the cost of the training.
- Starting in June, KVCC began providing 176 hours of training to 100 full-time Backyard Farms employees. Topics have included communication; business writing; conflict, project, and financial management; food science; Servsafe; and more. MQC and Backyard Farms will share the cost of the training, which will end in June of next year.
- In July, 30 full-time medical assistants at Maine Medical Partners participated in a 10-hour course through SMCC, with 50% funding from MQC, to prepare them for the Registered Medical Assistant/Certified Medical Assistant Exam.
- And at the end of August, seven employees at Central Maine Meats completed 138 hours of OSHA, workplace, and other training through a MQC grant. The training was in conjunction with the Maine Apprenticeship Board and participants earned certificate hours toward a butchery apprenticeship program. The new and growing company works to help farmers get their product to market.
Last year, 125 Maine businesses and organizations and approximately 2,000 of their employees benefited from specialized training delivered to them by the state's community colleges.
Learn more about how Maine's community colleges can help you grow your business.
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EMCC helps paper mill workers build new career
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Ralph Jellison at work at Hinckley Yachts.
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Ralph Jellison lost his job when the Verso Paper Mill in Bucksport closed its door. To reboot his career, he, along with three of his co-workers, recently took advantage of a retraining program offered by the fine woodworking program at EMCC.
The program was a joint effort between EMCC, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and the Maine Quality Centers program and has graduated a total of 21 students.
Most of the students have found new careers as fine woodworkers, including Jellison, who was hired even before he graduated by Hinckley Yachts in Trenton.
For Jellison, it was an opportunity to go back to school and start a new career after working at the mill for 27 years.
"It was a good fit for me because it was close by," he says. "I really enjoyed the instructors the best. They related well with all of us and taught us so many tricks of the trade." He tells others to have confidence in themselves and go to school. "You can do it and the instructors are awesome," he says.
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In support of YCCC and "the health of our community"
A $500,000 gift from the Hannaford Charitable Foundation to The Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges will support a new academic building at YCCC in Wells and increase access to higher education for residents of York County.
"Hannaford Supermarkets is excited to help provide southern Maine students with the classrooms and modern learning materials they need at York County Community College," said Dick Morin, the grocer's director of operations for southern Maine. "The increasing enrollment numbers show that people understand education is a foundation for success in life and for the health of our community."
Read more.
From right, Nicole Devoe Lewis of Hannaford and Bob Schools, Chairman of the Hannaford Charitable Foundation, present a ceremonial check to Dr. Barbara Finkelstein, President, York County Community College; Derek Langhauser, President, Maine Community College System; and Jane Phillips, President, The Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges.
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How can Maine's community colleges help your business grow?
Sixty-five percent of our registered nurses are graduates of NMCC, and our community has benefited greatly from this program. The classes will now be held at Houlton Regional Hospital, and this will make it easier and less costly for area residents to not only pursue their nursing degree but also to be able to work here at the hospital when they graduate.
Tom Moakler, President and CEO of Houlton Regional Hospital
on the renewed partnership with NMCC that will allow Houlton-area residents
to pursue locally a two-year associate degree in nursing.
Learn more.
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News Briefs
KVCC showcases sustainable construction program at Common Ground Fair
If you are at the Common Ground Fair in Unity this weekend, stop by and visit KVCC's exhibit and learn more about the college's
sustainable construction program. The college's booth, or structure, is located in the energy and shelter area near the Rose Gate through Sunday.
EMCC offers tuition-free medical office technology certificates in rural Maine
Through the MCCS Bring College to ME program, EMCC will offer two certificate programs in medical office technology this fall at its off-campus centers in Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, and East Millinocket. The two programs -- health care secretary and computer applications specialist -- each will be offered to up to 25 students. "These certificates will provide significant education and career opportunities for residents of rural Maine," says Liz Russell, EMCC's academic dean. "Graduates will be well-qualified to work in hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices, or continue on to complete a two- or four-year degree."
WCCC enhances training for firefighters and first responders
WCCC is expanding training options for firefighters and first responders in Washington County. In addition to offering, for the first time, a Maine Fire Service Institute weekend training this past spring, it recently added advanced EMT and emergency medical responder courses to its continuing education offerings. "We've been working closely with Calais Fire-EMS who has identified the need in Washington County for more trained personnel," said Susan Mingo, WCCC Dean of Enrollment Management and Students.
SMCC, USM forge new hospitality degree pathway
SMCC and USM have announced the appointment of a full-time faculty position to provide services to students in the hospitality programs at both institutions. Under the new arrangement, Maureen LaSalle will teach courses at both SMCC and USM. She will also provide advising services to students enrolled in SMCC's hospitality management and culinary arts programs who wish to work toward a bachelor's degree in USM's tourism and hospitality program after completing their associate degree at SMCC.
YCCC's new gerontology program to help fill growing need
This fall YCCC is offering a new associate degree and one-year certificate in gerontology. The program is the only one its kind in the state and is available 100% online. It will prepare students to work with senior populations in a variety of direct care settings.
Learn more.
High energy at KVCC's Energy Services Center
Students in KVCC's energy services and technology programs are taking advantage of new certifications and scholarships.
- The college's 200-hour oil burner technician course, approved by the Maine Fuel Board last year, has recently been certified by the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA). Students who complete the course can sit for the NORA bronze level certification exam and pursue a Maine journeyman's license.
- Efficiency Maine is offering scholarships to KVCC's January 2017 ductless mini-split heat pump course. The course is open to licensed heating or HVAC technicians and licensed electricians.
- In May, six KVCC students completed the college's propane and natural gas and appliance connection and service course and passed the CETP exams allowing them to become licensed propane and natural gas technicians in Maine. At the same time, twelve students who completed KVCC's entry level solar photovoltaics (PV) course pursued their certifications. All are now eligible to enroll in the college's solar PV design and installation course to prepare them for the NABCEP PV installer exam.
CMCC dedicates BIW Simulation Room
CMCC has formally dedicated the General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works (BIW) Simulation Room located on the third floor of the college's new academic building. The room, made possible by a generous gift from BIW, is equipped with group pods, each with a computer workstation, and movable writing boards that are ideal for classroom brainstorming sessions. Learn more.
Certificate program helps YCCC graduates expand dental careers
Five YCCC students have successfully completed the Expanded Function Dental Assistant program at YCCC. The graduates are licensed professionals trained to perform certain dental procedures.
From left: Francois Lamothe, DDS, and Coordinator of YCCC Dental Programs; Katlyn Raymond; Samara Swett; Allyson Guerretto; Ansley Daley; Brooke Libby; and Stacey Singleton, adjunct instructor.
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