Say YES to that First Job: Labor Dept. Offers Teens, Parents Class on Youth Employment Bookmark and Share

May 23, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2018

Media Contact: Laura Hudson, Dept. of Labor, 621-5009

CLASS REGISTRATION: Kerri Demerchant, 621-5095 or Kerri.L.Demerchant@maine.gov

AUGUSTA?Maine employers are facing a workforce challenge, with the state having the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in the nation, at a historically-low 2.7 percent, and under 4 percent for 29 consecutive months. In June, Maine Department of Labor is offering workshops throughout the state to help parents and teens learn that this challenge offers opportunity for our youth to develop work-readiness and life skills as they pursue their own personal version of success in the future. Registration is required.

?We must prepare Maine?s next generation of workers, by promoting and encouraging youth to enter the workforce earlier," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "The skills learned through that first job cannot be overstated; from managing their own money, to being dependable and on time, to beginning their quest for a career, there is no better preparation for a lifetime of work than that first job.?

Getting Ready for Work: A Workshop for Minors and Parents on getting that First Job, teaches teens and parents what kind of employers are hiring youth, how they can make a great first impression, how to maintain a job, and covers the Work Permit process, including how to get a permit, the purpose of the permit process, and protections to Maine youth in the workplace to help ensure they?re safe on the job.

The interactive class for teens and parents will be held throughout Maine at the following dates and locations. To register, contact Kerri Demerchant at 207-621-5095 or Kerri.L.Demerchant@maine.gov

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Monday, June 4

  • Farmingdale Area: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Hall-Dale High School, 97 Maple St., Farmingdale, ME

Tuesday, June 05

  • Augusta Area: 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Augusta CareerCenter, 45 Commerce Dr., ME
  • Calais Area: 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Calais CareerCenter, One College Dr., Calais, ME
  • Machias Area: 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Machias CareerCenter, 53 Prescott Dr., Machias, ME
  • Rockland Area: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Rockland CareerCenter, 91 Camden St., Rockland, ME
  • Waldo Area: 5:00 to 6:00, Waldo County Tech Center, 1022 Waterville Rd., Waldo, ME

Wednesday, June 06

  • Ashland Area: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Ashland School, 180 Presque Isle Rd., Ashland, ME
  • Bangor Area: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Bangor CareerCenter, 45 Oak St., Bangor ME
  • Brunswick Area: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., University College Bath/Brunswick, Rm. 101, Orion Hall, 12 Sewall Street, Brunswick, ME
  • Dover-Foxcroft Area: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Penquis Higher Education Center, 50 Mayo St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME
  • East Millinocket Area: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Katahdin Region Higher Education Center, 1 Dirigo Dr., East Millincoket, ME
  • Fort Kent Area: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Fort Kent Adult Education, 84 Pleasant St., Fort Kent, ME
  • Lewiston-Auburn Area: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Lewiston CareerCenter, 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston, ME
  • Portland Area: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Greater Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Blvd., Portland, ME
  • Houlton Area: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Houlton ACAP Office, 91 Military St., Houlton, ME
  • Madawaska Area: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Madawaska ACAP Office, 88 Fox St., Madawaska, ME
  • Presque Isle Area: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Presque Isle CareerCenter, 66 Spruce St., Presque Isle, ME

Thursday, June 07

  • Ellsworth Area: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Maine Development Corporation Office, Mill Mall, 248 State St., Ste 15A, Ellsworth, ME
  • Farmington Area: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Mt.Blue High School, 129 Seamon Rd, Farmington, ME
  • Skowhegan Area: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Skowhegan CareerCenter, 98 North Ave., Skowhegan, ME
  • Springvale Area: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Springvale CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Ct., Springvale, ME

Additionally, parents, teens, employers and school superintendent offices with questions about employment of minors and the Work Permit process can call the Wage and Hour Division at the Bureau of Labor Standards at 207-623-7900.

?Looking at Maine?s minor population as one part of the solution makes sense for many reasons,? said Labor Commissioner John Butera. ?We have almost 28,000, 14- and 15-year-olds in Maine. Introducing them into the workforce at a younger age helps to build confidence, self-reliance and independence, understand the value of having their own money, and cultivates soft skills that many employers are craving in their current and future employees. Youth who start work early learn how to work well with others, to respect and have self-control, and develop good time-management skills and personal responsibility?all important attributes that will serve them well in their personal, educational and professional lives.?

Classes are delivered in partnership with Maine Department of Labor, Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG), Bureau of Employment Services, Bureau of Labor Standards, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Maine CareerCenters, Aroostook County Action Program, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Workforce Solutions, Western Maine Community Action, Central Western Maine Workforce Development Board, Coastal Counties Workforce Board, and Northeastern Workforce Development Board.

Maine CareerCenters provide a variety of employment and training services at no charge for Maine job seekers, of many demographics and of any age, and businesses. Visit http://www.mainecareercenter.gov for more information and a list of locations.

The Bureau of Labor Standards helps workers and businesses make their worksites safer, upholds standards for minimum wages, child labor and other practices, and gathers information on the rapidly changing world of work in Maine today?and in the future. Visit http://www.maine.gov/labor/bls and http://www.safetyworksmaine.gov for more information about no-cost services and online resources.

For more information about the YES initiative, check out our webpage http://www.mainecareercenter.gov/yes .

Maine Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

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