Workforce Resources

Unemployment COVID-19 Updates

A comprehensive guide to unemployment insurance in Maine from the Maine Department of Labor.

Maine Department of Labor Unemployment Portal

If you have applied for unemployment insurance, you are required to register at ReEmployMe and have an active Maine Job Link account that includes a resume and profile.

Maine Department of Labor Covid 19 Grant - Peer Navigators

Has your employment been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If you need assistance connecting with local resources, navigating Maine's benefit systems, and/or applying for services WE CAN HELP. Peer navigators are available to help you access assistance with food, clothing, fuel assistance, healthcare and other critical need as well as employment and training programs that will help you get back to work. If you live in Southern Maine contact Innes Herden at 207-653-0291 or email Innes.Herden@workforcesolutionsme.org. If you live in Central, Western or Northern Maine contact Joanne Caron at 207-441-4728 or email JCaron@emdc.org .

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, also known as "VR," is a program that helps people who have disabilities to find and keep a job. VR helps people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.

Maine CareerCenters

Maine CareerCenters provide a variety of employment and training services at no charge for Maine workers and businesses. Whether you are looking to improve your job qualifications, explore a different profession, find a new career or hire an employee, the CareerCenter can help.

Maine Job Link

Whether you're looking for that perfect job, that perfect employee or information on an industry or workforce, Maine JobLink is for you.

Central Western Maine Workforce Development Board

The CWMWDB provides programs for Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford and Somerset Counties. They engage industry partners to create a highly trained, educated, and diverse workforce leading to improved quality of life for the residents of Central/Western Maine.

Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc.

Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. (CCWI), is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity founded to administer and oversee the delivery of the workforce system’s services for the 6 Coastal Counties in Maine. CCWI is the entity working on behalf of the Region’s Local Board and CEO to ensure their responsibilities under federal workforce development law and federal funding are met. CCWI’s jurisdiction includes Maine’s six coastal counties (York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Waldo and Knox).

Northeastern Workforce Development Board

The Northeastern Workforce Development Board is dedicated to bringing together employers and employees in Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Washington counties to promote a healthy economy in the region. They provide citizens with access to training and educational opportunities and the necessary support to obtain sustainable employment that leads to a livable wage as defined by the Maine State Workforce Board and provide employers with a skilled workforce.

Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP)

Aroostook County Action Program, in partnership with the Northeastern Workforce Development Board provides the people of Aroostook with services and resources that help individuals and their families achieve greater economic independence.

Workforce Solutions

Workforce Solutions staff works with individuals looking for employment that is fulfilling, meaningful and supportive in Maine’s six coastal counties - Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, and York.

Eastern Maine Development Corporation Workforce Development Services

EMDC provides a combination of workforce development services to economically disadvantaged adults and dislocated workers as well as disadvantaged youth in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock and Washington counties. EMDC’s programs are designed to coordinate with a wide array of other community supports and educational providers to ensure that each participant in their programs has the resources needed to gain and retain employment in in-demand occupations and industry sectors of the region’s economy.

Maine Opioid Grant

This grant is designed to support the transition of dislocated workers and reintegration of individuals impacted by the opioid crisis into the workforce. To be eligible for grant services individuals must have been impacted by the opioid crisis or be long-term unemployed and interested in a career to help treat the opioid crisis.

Maine Department of Education Maine Adult Education

Maine Adult Education is a public education and career pathways system that enables adults to be prepared for post-secondary education and/or employment. Adult education programs provide a range of instructional services to help adults develop the skills for further educational opportunities, job training, and better employment, and to realize their full potential as productive workers, family members and citizens.

Learning Works English Language and Literacy Program

This English Language + Literacy Program (EL+LP) provides immigrants and refugees the chance to thrive in their new country by offering free one-on-one tutoring and life-skills-based conversation classes. They serve adults from diverse backgrounds and experiences from all over the world including Angola, Belarus, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Rwanda, Russia, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Vietnam.

National Digital Equity Center

The National Digital Equity Center provides communities at all levels the expertise needed to mobilize broadband technologies through digital inclusion, literacy efforts, education, resource planning, funding research, infrastructure leveraging and stakeholder engagement.

MaineSpark Adult Promise

Adult Promise supports people who are looking to earn credentials, change careers, or learn a new trade or skill. Their network of agencies can provide information, counseling and resources.Their Online hub can assist you with thinking through and planning your next education or career move and their Navigators are experienced advisors who can help find answers to your questions.

Maine Community College System

The Maine Community College System is Maine's comprehensive two-year college system with seven campuses across the state

Maine Community College System Maine Quality Centers

Maine Quality Centers offer customized education and training for new and expanding Maine businesses at no cost to the employer or the trainees.

University of Maine System

The University of Maine System is the state’s largest educational enterprise. It is accessible with seven universities—some with multiple campuses—located across the state, as well as a law school, an additional 31 course sites, and Cooperative Extension.

Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE)

HOPE provides families with children with financial support for costs like childcare and transportation related to education and training programs beyond high school including certificate programs, associate degree programs, and bachelor degree programs in health care, engineering, and technology. HOPE enrollment is limited to 500 students. There are currently program openings.

Parents as Scholars (Pas)

Parents as Scholars is a student aid program that provides low-income parents with financial assistance to participate in two- and four-year post-secondary education programs. PaS provides a monthly cash benefit in the same amount as families receiving TANF along with support services, like child care, transportation, car repairs and books and supplies needed to succeed in their educational program.

Food Supplement Employment and Training Program

FSET helps Maine Food Supplement recipients get job training and education so they can find and keep good paying jobs. There are lots of training opportunities available to you at no cost. If you receive Food Supplement and do not receive TANF assistance, you may be eligible.

Maine Educational Opportunity Center

The Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) promotes access to post-secondary education for traditionally under-represented adult populations. MEOC Advisors coordinate efforts with area schools, colleges, and other service agencies to provide information and assistance in completing college admission and financial aid forms. MEOC is committed to assist any adult wishing to re-enter a formal education setting.

ASPIRE Program

The ASPIRE program helps TANF recipients move towards financial independence through case management, job training, education, support and employment services.

FocusMaine Intern Experience

The FocusMaine Intern Experience is designed to increase your value as a future employee as well as give you a chance to explore Maine companies and opportunities to build and grow your career here in Maine. You will hear from industry leaders and gain crucial workforce skills and knowledge.

Foster Center for Student Innovation Innovate for Maine Fellowship Program

The Innovate for Maine Fellows program connects the best and brightest Maine college students with Maine’s most exciting, growing companies and business leaders in an effort to help grow and create jobs across the state of Maine. Emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship, the program prepares students to collaborate with companies on innovation projects that accelerate company growth and give students a paid, meaningful, hands-on internship experience.

Job Corps Centers

Job Corps provides integrated academic, vocational, career success standards and social skills training to at-risk youth ages 16-24

Maine Career and Technical Education

Oversees the high school Career and Technical Education (vocational education) centers and regions across the state that provide students with the technical skills, knowledge, and education necessary for a successful transition to post-secondary education or work.

Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP)

Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC)

Workforce Solutions

Programs serve youth and young adults (between the ages of 14-24) who face barriers to employment and education. Staff work with participants to build the skills necessary to explore and develop careers, pursue education and occupational skills training, and gain work experience and employment.

Maine Youth Action Network - Gateway to Opportunity

The Gateway to Opportunity Program (G2O) connects low-income young people (both in-school and out-of-school) with paid, work-based learning projects during the summer. The G2O program is a new approach to work-based learning developed by the Cutler Institute’s Youth & Community Engagement (YCE) team at the University of Southern Maine. YCE and other local partners worked collaboratively to design the program from national best practices for youth employability. MYAN coordinates several host sites in the Portland area each summer and is working to expand the G2O program statewide.

Maine Conservation Corps

Interested in developing job readiness skills, experience in project management, and gaining contacts in the field of natural resources? Come learn, live and serve in the beautiful State of Maine! The Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) is devoted to conservation and environmental stewardship across the state, with positions available throughout the year. As part of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, the MCC's four-fold mission is to: accomplish conservation projects, create conservation employment, provide conservation education, and engage conservation volunteers.

New Ventures Maine

New Ventures Maine creates an empowering environment for Maine people to define and achieve their career, financial, and small business goals. Through tuition-free classes and individual coaching, they help people find good jobs, start or return to college, launch small businesses, manage their money and build their assets.

Goodwill Northern New England

Workforce programs and healthcare services designed for individuals who face challenges in daily living as a result of a disability.

Maine Works

MaineWorks' mission is to dignify the experience for people who face real barriers to workforce reentry, including people recovering from substance use disorder and people with felony convictions. They provide jobs in the fields of construction, carpentry, masonry, roadwork, bridges, demolition, landscaping, and much more.