Maine's Workforce Cabinet
Governor Baldacci's Workforce Cabinet is creating flexible, forward-thinking workforce policies to help Maine citizens adapt and succeed in Maine's changing economy.
Background
The Workforce Cabinet was formed by Governor Baldacci in November 2003. The Cabinet is comprised of seven major state departments and agencies to provide a forum in which to convene businesses, economic development agencies, educational institutions, workforce development service providers, and other community leaders to collaboratively address and improve the broad range of workforce issues facing Maine and its communities.
Workforce Cabinet Membership
- Commissioner Laura A. Fortman, MDOL, Chair, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
- President John Fitzsimmons, Maine Community College System
- Commissioner Susan Gendron, DOE
- Commissioner Brenda Harvey, DHHS
- Mike Mahoney, Senior Policy Advisor, Governor’s Office
- Dale McCormick, Director, Maine State Housing Authority
- Chancellor Richard Pattenaude, University of Maine System
- Commissioner John Richardson, DECD
- John Witherspoon, CEO, Finance Authority of Maine
Goals
- Continue to support state and local efforts to improve our education system through expansion of both secondary and post-secondary programs that promote high student achievement and which align workforce education with the new skill-set requirements of the 21st century global economy.
- Create workforce development and training programs that emphasize the idea of innovation and embrace a demand-driven approach based on local and regional economic needs.
- Promote life-long learning through appropriate workforce development programs for all citizens, whether they are students, job seekers, workers, or retirees and by assisting those in training with the support services (child care, transportation, housing) necessary to be successful.
- Streamline education and training delivery for Maine’s workforce by increasing coordination between economic development and education.
- Build consensus around a rigorous set of uniform accountability standards that allow us to evaluate progress and outcomes in workforce development and training programs.
- Explore the benefits of a uniform and integrated data collection and performance management system and the capacity to measure and evaluate outcomes across departments.
Contact
This web site will serve as the primary vehicle for communicating the cabinet's visions, goals and strategies. Check back for updates as this site is developed. For immediate questions, please contact Garret Oswald at Garret.Oswald@Maine.gov or call (207) 621-5087.
