March Programs at the Southern Midcoast CareerCenter

March 7, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Leon Ouimet Southern Midcoast CareerCenter, 207-373-4000; Julie Rabinowitz, Department of Labor, 207-621-5009

BRUNSWICK?The Southern Midcoast CareerCenter, part of the Maine Department of Labor, in conjunction with its partners offer a variety of services to help people find employment or upgrade skills, and help employers to find qualified workers.

?Employers will be hiring at job fairs all over the state this spring,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?CareerCenter staff and services can help you prepare.?

Each of the 12 statewide centers provides public-access computer workstations equipped with Microsoft Office, resume writing and cover letter software. In addition, Internet access and O?Net software is available for individual skills assessment. Employers can list their open positions on the Maine Job Bank and take advantage of the online matching system, which identifies and refers job candidates. All CareerCenter services are provided free of charge to employers and job seeking customers.

The Southern Midcoast CareerCenter in Brunswick continues its series of workshops and programs for job seekers and those considering training to upgrade their skills and increase their employability. For more information on any of the CareerCenters programs, visit http://www.mainecareercenter.com or call 373-4000.

The following workshops and programs are free to the public and will be held at the CareerCenter in Brunswick unless otherwise noted. All events require pre-registration in person or by phone.

Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop?Wednesday, March 12, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Covers the basics of how to evaluate or create an effective resume and cover letter.

Effective Job Interviewing Workshop?Wednesday, March 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dedicated to exploring proper interviewing techniques and tips.

GATEways to Employment?Thursday, March 20, 9 a.m. to noon. Designed to help you jump start your work search with the latest tips and tools you?ll need to know to conduct a successful job search in today?s labor market. (Please Note: Maine Job Bank Registration/Account Required)

The Southern Midcoast CareerCenter also features several sessions led by these partner organizations:

Essentials of College Planning Workshop ? Tuesday, March 11 and 25, noon to 2 p.m. Christy Le from the Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) offers free workshops for adults 19 and older covering College Awareness and Planning along with the Federal Financial Aid process. She will assist participants in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To register for the next available session or for more information, call 1-800-281-3703 or visit MEOC?s website, http://meoc.maine.edu .

Goodwill Workforce Solutions administers federally funded employment and training programs through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Certain eligibility requirements apply. If you are at least 22 years of age and think you might qualify or benefit from training, contact the Southern Midcoast CareerCenter in Brunswick at 373-4000 to reserve a seat in training orientation sessions offered every other week on Monday afternoons. WIA Applications for those interested in will be made available at the end of the orientation. Applicants 16 to 21 years of age should call the above number and inquire about the WIA Youth Program.

Small Business Start Up Workshop ? Wednesday, March 20, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Interested in self-employment? So what does it really take to plan, start and run a successful small business where you can realize the challenges and satisfaction of working for yourself? Join us for a 2 hour afternoon session, where Maine Small Business Development Center Certified Master Business Counselor, Brad Swanson will walk you through the keys to successful business start up and management, focusing on the business plan: What is it? Why do you need one? What can it do for you?

Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community offer no cost classes in Assertive Communication, Creating Your Future, Creating the Rest of Your Life, Credit Yourself, Entrepreneurial Training, Financing Your Future, Professional Development and Mature Worker Activities. For more information, call Shelley Taylor in Bath at 386-1664 or go to http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org . Workshops are held at the Midcoast Center for Higher Education, 9 Park Street in Bath and are open to all interested parties.

The Southern Midcoast CareerCenter, located at 275 Bath Road in Brunswick, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and can be reached at 373-4000 or 1-888-836-3355 (TTY users should dial Maine Relay 711). You can also find more information at the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com . Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

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