The MaineLinks Newsletter

The MaineLinks Weeks of December 5 and 12, 2022

What to Know!

Staying healthy and safe during the holidays is usually a lot easier said than done. Everyone feels a little overwhelmed during the holiday season with the pressure to be a social butterfly and purchase the absolute perfect gifts for your friends and family. The holidays are, undoubtedly, the busiest time of year for alot of people, here are a few ways to stick to your healthy lifestyle and wellness goals.

• Keep a Regular Sleep, Eat and Exercise Schedule
• Remember What Really Matters
• Learn to Accept Imperfection
• Set Aside Time for Self-Care and Relaxation
• Ask for Help

Veterans Corner:

If you're a Veteran who lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, VA may have a solution for you. The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for a variety of high-demand jobs so you can get back to work.

Qualifying Veterans can receive up to 12 months of tuition and fees along with a monthly housing allowance. To be eligible for VRRAP, you must be between 22 and 66 years of age, unemployed due to COVID-19, able to work, and not eligible for education or unemployment benefits. If you do qualify, apply soon! We’ll stop accepting new VRRAP enrollments on December 11, 2022—or when we reach either the funding or participant limit, whichever comes first.

Training Talk

The Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training is a 3-part, comprehensive curriculum designed to supply learners with a foundational horticulture education suitable for skilled entry-level positions in the horticulture industry. Developed with input from horticulture industry leaders, this program will prepare learners with the practical horticulture knowledge and skills desired by employers. 

The Maine Community College System has agreements with more than 75 Maine businesses and industry associations that provide expanded workforce training opportunities and discounted tuition.

CareerCorner December feature: Mental Health Clinician (LPCC)

The road to becoming a LPCC is a long and arduous one that takes many years to accomplish.  The first position after graduating high school could be a Direct Support Professional (DSP). The second step in the chain is to earn a certificate or an Associate Degree in mental health, social services, or alcohol and drug counselor.  The third step is to gain experience with an internship or volunteer work as an undergraduate.  The fourth step is to earn a Bachelor Degree in Behavioral Health or related field.  One would then have to go on and earn Master’s/ Doctorate Degrees to achieve the level of the highest standards in Clinical Mental Health. 

Notable Quote:

“ You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights” Maya Angelou

Workplace Well- Being Information

• https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/workplace-well-being/index.html 

Hiring Events: (Click on the “Hiring Events” link for full list)

12/6 - Lewiston CareerCenter  5 Mollison Way

12/7 - Brunswick CareerCenter SMCC 29 Sewall St. Brunswick

12/7 - Portland CareerCenter 1^st Wednesday Hiring Event

12/20 - Community Health and Counseling Services- Bangor

Workshops: (click on the “Workshops” link for more)

Pre-register online for these virtual opportunities:

12/5,6 - Online Interactive: Internet Safety

12/6 -  Making Career Choices

12/15 - Helping Young Adults Navigate the Transition to Employment    Training

12/15 - Supported Employment and Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

And MORE!

December 5^th-11^th is Computer Science Education Week (CSEd). The Maine Department of Education Interdisciplinary Instruction team is showcasing a week of ideas on the connections between computer science and instruction. This year’s theme highlights the progress that has occurred in computer science education over the last decade. The  hope is to establish statewide public awareness for what computer science is and why it is important for students and work with cross-sector partners to create a shared vision, definitions,  and desired outcomes. Coordinating computer science related efforts in order to connect people and organizations to each other and to students, educators, and schools, and to align resources toward a common goal.

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Maine Department of Labor and Maine CareerCenters provide equal opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request.