Department of Labor Announces Additional Openings for Competitive Skills Scholarship Program

November 24, 2014

For Immediate Release: November 24, 2014
Media Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, Maine Department of Labor, 621-5009

Applications being accepted for residents in 10 counties

AUGUSTA?The Department of Labor has announced that applications are being accepted in 10 of Maine?s 16 counties through the CareerCenters for the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program. Applications for CSSP are currently being accepted from residents of Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo and York Counties.

Applications are available on the CSSP webpage (http://www.maine.gov/labor/careerctr/services-programs/training/cssp/index.shtml) and at local CareerCenters. People interested in applying should use the application specific to their county of residence.

?CSSP offers low-income and unemployed Mainers scholarships and assistance to help them earn industry-recognized credentials for an in-demand job,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?We are maximizing training for occupation-specific skills to better connect the long-term unemployed with good-paying jobs in our growing economy. If you want to start or finish a degree or train for a specific job, this program could be a good fit.?

The Department of Labor maintains a list of jobs considered high-wage, in-demand occupations. These jobs have an average wage at or above the average wage for all occupations in Maine and are projected to have a minimum number of job openings annually.

People interested in applying for a CSSP scholarship should contact their local CareerCenter. Slots are awarded based on income eligibility and other program criteria. More information is available at http://www.maine.gov/labor/careerctr/services-programs/training/cssp/index.shtml .

The CSSP was established in 2008 to meet businesses? demand for skilled workers and to provide funding for Maine residents to train for work in high-wage, high-growth and in-demand occupations. Funding for the program comes from the state Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund, through an offset of employer-paid unemployment taxes.

Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

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Location-specific information:

Residents of Penobscot County should apply to the Bangor CareerCenter, 45 Oak Street, Suite 3, Bangor, phone: 561-4050 or 1-888-828-0568, fax: 561-4066

Residents of Sagadahoc and Lincoln Counties should apply to the Brunswick (Southern Midcoast) CareerCenter, 275 Bath Road, Brunswick, phone: 373-4000 or 1-888-836-3355, fax: 373-4004

Residents of Androscoggin should apply to the Lewiston CareerCenter, 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston, phone: 753-9001 or 1-800-741-2991, fax: 783-5301

Residents of Aroostook County should apply to the Presque Isle CareerCenter, 66 Spruce Street, Suite 1, Presque Isle, phone: 760-6300 or 1-800-635-0357, fax: 760-6350

Residents of Waldo County should apply to the Rockland CareerCenter, 91 Camden Street, Suite 201, Rockland, phone: 596-2600 or 1-877-421-7916, fax: 594-1428

Residents of Somerset County should apply to the Skowhegan CareerCenter, 98 North Avenue, Skowhegan, phone: 474-4950 or 1-800-760-1572, fax: 474-4914

Residents of York County should apply to the Springvale CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court, Springvale, phone: 324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151, fax: 324-7069

Residents of Franklin County should apply to the Wilton CareerCenter, 865 US Route 2E, Wilton, phone: 645-5800 or 1-800-982-4311, fax: 645-2093

Residents of Oxford County should apply to either the Lewiston CareerCenter, 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston, phone: 753-9001 or 1-800-741-2991, fax: 783-5301 or to the Wilton CareerCenter, 865 US Route 2E, Wilton, ME 04294-6649; phone: 645-5800 or 1-800-982-4311, fax: 645-2093