Paid Work Experience, Training Offered for Out-of-School Youth in Somerset County

January 9, 2018

Ten-week program pairs successful candidates with a local employer for 20 hours a week at $10 per hour, and includes no-cost individualized education and/or mentoring.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2018

Contact: Peter Diplock, Skowhegan CareerCenter, 624-5183

Media Contact: Laura Hudson, Department of Labor, 621-5009

AUGUSTA--Out-of-school youth age 16 to 24 in Somerset County may be eligible for a paid work experience that provides education and mentoring in fields related to their career interests. An orientation to determine eligibility is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, at 10 a.m. at Lawrence Adult Education, 4 School Street, Fairfield, and 3 p.m. at Skowhegan Adult Education, 61 Academy Circle, Skowhegan. The program is offered through a partnership with the Skowhegan CareerCenter, Department of Health and Human Services, and Lawrence and Skowhegan Adult Education Programs. For more information, call 453-4200, ext. 3115 in Fairfield, or 474-7553 in Skowhegan.

"We know that our economy needs workers, and we also know that the earlier we can connect young people to employment, the more successful they are in staying employed throughout their lifetimes," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Our youth employment program in Somerset County accomplishes both these goals. This is a win-win for our youth and our employers."

The 21st Century Workforce Initiative is a 10-week, paid work experience program, where successful candidates will take part in no-cost, individualized education and/or mentoring for three weeks, then work 20 hours per week, for seven weeks, with a local employer. Participants earn $10 per hour while training and at the work site, and will be matched with local employers based on individual career interest assessment results.

Along with being an out-of-school youth age 16 to 24 in Somerset County, additional eligibility requirements must include either being unemployed or underemployed and seeking employment, or the candidate working to obtain their HiSET diploma or getting ready to go to college, or are parenting, or are homeless. Assessment for selected candidates will be January 22, followed by classroom training from January 29 through February 16, and the work experience running February 19 through April 6.

Successful candidates will be required to provide copies of work eligibility documents, such as birth certificate, driver?s license, and social security card, have reliable transportation to Kennebec Valley Community College Hinckley campus for classes and to their work-experience job site, and meet once weekly throughout the seven-week work schedule at the job site with the career adviser. Mileage reimbursement is available for all 10 weeks.

Funding for this program is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, offer a variety of services to help people find employment or upgrade skills. Each center provides several public-access computer workstations with Microsoft Office software, resume writing and cover letter software, Internet access and O?Net software for skills assessment. All CareerCenter services are free of charge.

The Skowhegan CareerCenter, located at 98 North Avenue, Skowhegan, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. More information on CareerCenter services is available at www.mainecareercenter.gov .

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

• end -