The MaineLinks Newsletter

The MaineLinks Weeks of January 2 and 9, 2022

What to Know!

The ball has dropped in Times Square and the aftermath of New Years is behind us.  But what lies ahead in the New Year? Some interesting New Years facts are:

• The last Roman gladiator competition was on 1/1/404
• Ellis Island opened for immigration on 1/1/1892
• Alcatraz became a S. Federal prison on 1/1/1934
• New Zealand was the first country to celebrate New Years
• Most car thefts occur on New Year’s Eve.
• Losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution

A new year is like a fresh start as we have another 365 days to play with and the opportunities are many. DREAM BIG! Cherish each moment. Cheers to a year of happiness, success, and prosperity.

Veterans Corner:

The numbers are in for the Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign, A shout out to the Maine DOL Veterans Teams for all of their hard work. The Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign provides support for employers to expand the hiring of veterans through a network of state and federal agencies, resources and nonprofits, education on military language and culture, recruiting and hiring assistance, and recognition for the hiring  and advancement of veterans & military family members. 209 employers signed agreements to support the Campaign in all 16 Maine counties.  

• Total Hires: 186
• Average Hourly Wage: $33.12
• 40 Female Veterans hired during the campaign
• Educational Programs: 11 with 102 participants
• Virtual Hiring Events: 37 employers, 40 job seekers w/16 veterans
• Top 5 hiring employers: BIW,Maine General, Northern Light, Bonney Staffing, Department of Corrections
• Top Occupational Hires: Dentist, Physician Assistant, Risk Manager, Project Manager, Nurse, Administrator

Training Talk

This summer, the Department of Labor joined the Talent Pipeline Challenge with other federal agencies. This is a nationwide call to action for employers, unions, education and training providers, and several other groups to support equitable workforce development in the broadband, construction and electrification industries.  This historic legislation will create thousands of new jobs in clean energy, battery manufacturing, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and many other similar fields. Diversifying and expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs in infrastructure-related jobs is essential to training workers for up-and-coming industries that will rebuild America’s roads, bridges, ports and airports, and upgrade public transit and rail systems. These jobs will help replace lead pipes to provide clean water, make affordable, high-speed internet more accessible to every family in America, deliver cheaper and cleaner energy, create good-paying jobs, and build a clean energy economy. 

CareerCorner - January Feature-Event Planner

There is no required formal education to become an event planner, but most jobs in event planning require a bachelor’s degree.  Vocational training in business or hospitality are a common avenue.  Experience in job shadow or apprenticeship are used to develop a reputation for reliability & dependability to start your own company.

Notable Quote:

We will open the book. It’s pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity, and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. -Edith Lovejoy Pierce

January is:

• National Retail Bakers Month
• National Get Organized Month
• Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
• National Human Resource Month

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

• 1/4-  Portland CareerCenter 1^st Wednesday Hiring Event
• 1/9-  Versant Power Hiring Event- Bangor CareerCenter
• 1/11- Brunwick CareerCenter- New Year, New Career Hiring event

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

Pre-register online for these virtual opportunities:

• 1/10- Making Career Choices
• 1/17- Creating a Winning Resume
• 1/25- Municipal Summer Internship Information Session

And MORE!

UMA is offering free dental screenings and xrays on 1/20 at the Lewiston Center.  Appointments are on a first come first serve basis.  To schedule call UMA Dental Health Programs at 207-262-7872.

Did you miss the last newsletter? Ensure you subscribe for more updates from the Maine Department of Labor.

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