Workforce Investment

On February 15, 2010 the fiscal administration of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was transferred from the County of Aroostook to Northern Maine Development Commission.

Maine is comprised of four workforce investment regions. The Aroostook & Washington counties region is the largest geographic workforce investment area in the state and covers over 9,000 square miles. Some of the responsibilities of the Workforce Development Department are:

Plan, oversee, and evaluate local workforce development programs, including the CareerCenter operations in Presque Isle, Machias, and Calais.
Direct WIA compliance through interactions and negotiations with the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services and through CareerCenter oversight.
Partner with the economic development community to promote the region’s economic prosperity.
Serve as the point of contact for business and industry, facilitating communications regarding workforce needs in our area.
Assess regional business needs and align programs and services to meet those needs; thereby ensuring the availability of qualified workers and promoting coordination among business and the public sector.
Implement a comprehensive workforce development system that adds value for job seekers, incumbent workers and employers. Promote strategies to encourage life-long learning, improve workplace skills and assist in the development of new training programs to benefit the region’s workforce.
Actively seek federal and state grant funds and build partnerships with other agencies to offer training and education programs to unemployed, incumbent and dislocated workers and youth.

In FY 2010-2011 the following activities will be implemented in Aroostook & Washington County:

Maine Health Care Grant & Federal Earmark
In FY 2010-2011, the Workforce Development Department will broaden its involvement as we partner with the other local workforce areas and the Maine Department of Labor to provide training and education funding for the healthcare sector. A federal US Department of Labor grant of $789,000 coupled with a congressional earmark of $500,000 will provide $1.289 million over the next 3 year period to provide tuition assistance, clinical instruction and direct support services to eligible individuals seeking a career as certified nursing assistants; nurses; and other allied health careers.

Aging Worker Initiative
Aroostook & Washington Counties Local Workforce Investment Board is partnering with the other three workforce areas of Maine to deliver education and training for older workers in Maine’s workforce. In addition to funding available through the CareerCenters to provide enhanced skills and education for this demographic (ages 55 and older), a series of workshops and trainings will be hosted by the Muskie School to the region’s employers.

For more information please contact Ryan Pelletier at 498-8736 or by e-mail at rpelletier@nmdc.org