BUSINESS RESOURCES

Build Your Business Website

This class for building websites is designed to help small business owners create a website tailored to their business model. Led by experts, the classes will guide you in defining your brand and enhancing your understanding and confidence in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and social media management. You'll have the opportunity to participate in live demo webinars for setting up an online store, connect with fellow entrepreneurs from Maine, understand how to maintain and upgrade your website, and expand your marketing strategies online. All levels of technological experience are encouraged to participate.

Date: October 23, 2024
Location: Online
Time: 6 PM – 7:30 PM 

Engage Maines’s Global Talent Forum

Join Greater Portland Workforce Initiative (GPWI) at SMCC on October 16 to discover how you can contribute to cultivating a more diverse and skilled workforce in Maine! Small businesses and employers with limited HR capacity are encouraged to sign up for Engage Maine's Global Talent Forum series. Through intimate workshops led by local specialists, employers will gain insights into strategies, best practices, and innovative resources to enhance their initiatives in recruiting, retaining, and advancing international talent!

Day/Time: Wednesday, October 16^th, 8:30 am - 12 pm

Location: Southern Maine Community College's McKernan Hospitality Center

Essential Insurance Planning for Your Business

Learn key business protection strategies in this crucial 90-minute training session led by Andrew Beers from Beers Agency, LLC. Topics covered include insurance and liability coverage, workplace-specific issues such as Narcan training and on-site availability, property casualty, business and personal insurance, flood insurance, workers' compensation, employee protection liability, directors and officers liability, business interruption insurance endorsement, rental property liability, and emerging trends like cybersecurity, credit cards, AI, and HIPAA.

Date: October 28, 2024
Location: Machias
Time: 12 PM – 2 PM 

The Immigrant Business Owner’s Guide to Financial Projections

This event is designed for entrepreneurs launching new ventures and proprietors of small enterprises who want to grasp the fundamentals of financial forecasts, spending, and cash flow predictions to steer their business choices and obtain financial backing. Whether you're embarking on a new venture or fine-tuning your current business approach, this event will provide you with the insights to effectively anticipate your financial prospects.

Date: October 23, 2024
Location: Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center
Time: 3 PM – 5 PM 

2024 Nature ME Summit

This summit gathers stakeholders and professionals with a shared commitment to advancing the health and well-being of children and families at all developmental stages. The summit's content is tailored for medical providers, behavioral health clinicians, social service providers, prevention professionals, public health educators, community members, and others involved in delivering tobacco, substance use, and behavioral health prevention and treatment services in Maine.

Dates: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, and Thursday, October 31, 2024

Location: Augusta Civic Center
Day 1: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM  
Day 2: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Join us in celebrating over a decade of serving Veterans across Maine with the 2024 Maine’s Hire-A-Vet Campaign! Our dedicated Planning Committee is already working hard to ensure another successful campaign. Whether you're an employer or a job seeker, we invite you to participate in our upcoming events. All job seekers are welcome!

• November 22, 2024, | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | York County Community College: Inside Hiring Event – REGISTRATION OPENS October 18, 2024

Pricing Strategies

Mastering the art of pricing your products and services is essential for your success as a business owner. In this engaging one-hour workshop, our experienced team will educate you on breakeven analysis and delve into various pricing tactics suitable for your business.

Date: October 24, 2024

Location: Online

Time: 12 PM – 1 PM 

Child Care Toolkit for Employers

The Office of Child and Family Services at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Coastal Enterprises, Inc (CEI), and The Best Place for Working Parents® have joined forces to create a resource guide. This guide offers practical examples and options to employers who are prepared to address the childcare needs of their employees. It presents a variety of solutions tailored to meet employers at their current stage, empowering them to take the next step that aligns best with their organization.

EDUCATIONAL NETWORKING

Join the Maine Apprenticeship Team on Monday, November 18th, at the Augusta Civic Center for a day dedicated to learning about registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in Maine and best practices for implementation. Are you looking for an opportunity to learn more about the Maine Apprenticeship Program? Are you a current sponsor hoping to revamp your program? Are you someone who works with career seekers? There’s something for everyone!​

Tickets are $25 per person ($20 until October 31st!) and include a keynote address, breakout sessions, lunch, and a networking opportunity with other businesses and workforce partners.

WHO: Businesses, industry associations, unions, workforce partners, education providers, community-based organizations

WHAT: Inaugural Maine Apprenticeship Summit

WHERE: Augusta Civic Center – 76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 

WHEN: Monday, November 18th, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

City of Portland Announces New Round of Job Creation Grants

The City of Portland's Business Assistance Program for Job Creation (BAP) offers reimbursement-based matching grants of up to $20,000 to new and expanding for-profit businesses in Portland. This funding is aimed at creating new full-time and part-time jobs for low/moderate income individuals. The program provides $10,000 per full-time job and $5,000 per part-time job. BAP is supported by the City of Portland's Community Development Block Grant. It's important to note that NET NEW jobs are those that didn't exist at the time of application to this program, and do not include jobs that became available due to an employee leaving or being let go.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to honor and recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities to the American workforce and economy. NDEAM underscores our dedication to providing disabled workers with access to quality employment opportunities throughout the year. This year's official theme, "Access to Good Jobs for All," encapsulates the spirit of this commitment.

You can access all events hosted in October here.

The Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program has updated their webpage to include a one-page explainer on what employers need to know ahead of January 2025. In addition, a PFML employee labor poster that provides important information about the program is available online. This information can be found under the employer resources tab.

Virtual Workshop: Choosing a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business

Join the virtual presentation featuring Mario Erisnord from the USDOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration on November 14, 2024, from 8:00 to 9:30 am. This event is organized by the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Springvale CareerCenter. The presentation will cover valuable information about retirement plans and the key factors to consider when selecting one for your business. Registered participants will receive a Zoom link closer to the event. For further details, please contact Marcella.J.Spruce@maine.gov.

UPCOMING TRAINING AND EVENTS

Bookkeeping Solutions

In this one-hour session, you will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of maintaining precise financial documentation. Our experienced team will offer various options for you to select the most suitable system for your business. Additionally, we will offer tips to alleviate the stress and intimidation often associated with bookkeeping.

Date: October 31, 2024
Location: Online
Time: 12 PM – 1 PM

Inclusion Maine Conference

The Inclusion Maine Conference is a multi-day educational event aimed at enhancing talent attraction and retention in Maine. It brings together HR professionals, business executives, nonprofit leaders, and government officials to learn about enhancing community and workplace inclusion. The conference's training program is endorsed by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

Registration is open.
Day/Time: February 11^th-13th
Location: Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program

The federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program provides tax credits to businesses who hire Mainers facing serious barriers to employment, such as the long-term unemployed and justice-involved Mainers.  The program incentivizes hiring of populations who often watch from the sidelines while their neighbors thrive in the workforce. For more information, please click here.

CareerCenter Employer Guide

Discover the resources and services offered to support the growth, management, and development of your workforce in Maine.

CONTACT US

Services are available virtually via the CareerCenter hotline: 207-623-7981 | TTY users call Maine Relay 711

If you’d prefer to access services and information in-person, we welcome you to visit a CareerCenter location near you.

Each of the centers across the state provides public computers with internet access, Microsoft Office, resume/cover letter writing software, and O*Net software for personal skills assessment. 

Employers can list their open positions on Maine JobLink and use our online system which matches jobs with candidates. All CareerCenter services are provided at no charge to employers and job seekers. Veterans and eligible spouses receive priority of service in all Department of Labor programs.