May Programs at the Southern Midcoast CareerCenter

April 15, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2014

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, and in conjunction with its partners, offer a variety of services to help people find employment or upgrade skills and employers to find qualified workers.

?Our unemployment rate is falling and our businesses are hiring,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?If you are searching for work but haven?t been getting interviews, I encourage you to contact a CareerCenter for free help in improving that resume and practicing job interviews. CareerCenters will help you be in the best position to take advantage of our economic growth.?

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 for individual skills assessment are provided. Employers can list their open positions on Maine's 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 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.

Career Directions / Putting the Pieces Together: Thursday, May 8, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Explores your career interests, aptitudes, values, personality, motivation and how each transfers to today?s job market.

Resume and Cover Letter Writing Workshop: Wednesday, May 14, 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, May 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dedicated to exploring proper interviewing techniques and tips.

GATEways to Employment: Thursdays, May 1, 15 and 29, 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: Tuesdays, May 13 and 27, 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, 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 week on Monday afternoons. WIA applications for those interested 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: Thursday, May 22, 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 two-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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