The MaineLinks Newsletter

Weeks of September 11 and 18, 2023

What to Know!

Falls Prevention Awareness Week runs the third week in September.  The Maine Falls Prevention Coalition is partnering with the National Council on Aging throughout September by offering accessible falls prevention programs, services, and learning opportunities in Maine.  Falls are a leading cause of injury for the 65+ population.  Falls threaten older adults’ safety and independence and generate economic and personal costs.  Through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls experienced by older adults can be substantially reduced.

Veterans Corner

In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) equips veteran and active-duty service members and their families with the resources to help them start and run their businesses. VBOC of New England serves veterans in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The VBOC of New England is operated by the Center for Women & Enterprise who offer quality classes, programs, and services to those who want to start and grow their business.  Veteran owned businesses may be startups, existing companies focusing on growth and expansion or planned future acquisitions. The VBOC of New England provides information on small business ownership to service members and military spouses by facilitating and instructing the SBA’s  Boots to Business, “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” course.  Additionally, the VBOC provides:

• counseling
• training
• technical and financial skill development,
• comprehensive business assessments,
• mentoring.

Training Talk!

The Maine Career Catalyst program provides professional development, social opportunities and networking for experiential learners working in Maine. The program not only focuses on building an affinity for Maine but also drives to support students in their exploration of career paths and help them find and navigate the career opportunities available in Maine. The events facilitate connections among participants, with businesses and business leaders, and builds a deeper understanding of opportunities in Maine for launching a career.   Maine Career Catalyst’s founding funding partner is FocusMaine, a ten-year, private sector-led initiative to accelerate the creation of quality jobs in Maine. This growth is driven by investing in three of Maine’s globally competitive and high-growth fields: Maine’s Food Economy, Aquaculture, and Life Science.

Notable Quote:

“Grief is the price we pay for love.” — Queen Elizabeth II

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

• 9/13—Outdoor Hiring Event at the Lewiston CareerCenter
• 9/14—Outdoor Hiring Event at the Downtown Greenspace in Brunswick sponsored by Southern Midcoast CareerCenter
• 9/21—Maine Hire-A-Vet Hiring & Resource Event in Bangor

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

Pre-register online for these virtual opportunities:

• Pre-register online for these virtual opportunities:
• 9/12-In-Person-Interviewing Skills Workshop-Lewiston CareerCenter 8:30a.m—12:30 p.m. Conference Room A
• 9/14-How to Get Your Foot in the Door- Networking for a New Job
• 9/15—Applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program with National Digital Equity Center

CareerCorner –September- Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician is responsible for preparing medications, filling prescriptions, managing inventory, helping process insurance, and providing customer service. They are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. In Maine, there are two types of regulated pharmacy techs: a pharmacy technician and a pharmacy technician advanced. A pharmacy technician does not require certification, but a pharmacy technician advanced must pass an exam from an accredited board, such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Many programs exist in the field for on-the-job training.

And MORE!

The Maine Resource Center provides a comprehensive range of resources to support the success of Maine students and their families and is made possible by the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) and Parents as Scholars (PaS) partnership with JMG. The HOPE and PaS programs help Maine families pursue training and education beyond high school and achieve their career plans by addressing barriers to success.

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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.