EMDC announces paid workforce training for job seekers

Bangor Daily News

BANGOR  – Seeking to bolster the workforce and provide additional support for employers, Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) is implementing a unique approach to the job search and placement process. Aiming to increase employment opportunities for job seekers and meet the needs of employers, EMDC’s new Young Mainer’s Workforce Academy promises benefits to the region’s economy by preparing young people to succeed in the labor market, while assisting businesses and organizations in filling job vacancies with motivated and capable new workers.

Beginning June 18, the first Young Mainer’s Workforce Academy is a paid training that will offer teens and young adults ages 16-24 a comprehensive package of dynamic trainings, interactive instructional sessions and virtual networking. The seven-week virtual academy will culminate with paid work experiences at local employers — giving participants hands-on learning, the rewards of earning a paycheck and the opportunity to land a permanent job. 

In announcing the reimagined workforce development framework, EMDC President and CEO Lee Umphrey emphasized the importance of offering value to both prospective workers and the employers who increasingly struggle to meet their staffing requirements during the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, “EMDC’s focus on innovation and collaboration will match the changing needs and expectations of job seekers and the business community. Our upcoming Young Mainer’s Workforce Academy aims to establish meaningful on-line and on-going connections between eager young people and quality employers.” 

Specifically, the academy will focus particular attention on occupational fields with significant demand, and those that are tailored to each individual’s interests. Industries covered include information technology (IT), health care and skilled labor. Participants will receive in-depth training in job search fundamentals, such as resume development and interviewing, but also instruction in financial literacy, workplace cultures and expectations and how to plan for not simply a job but a rewarding career. 

Individuals interested in learning more and registering for the Young Mainer’s Workforce Academy can contact EMDC’s Senior Workforce Development Specialist, Leah Gulliver, at lgulliver@emdc.org. 

Eastern Maine Development Corporation is a non-profit based in Bangor, Maine fostering public-private partnerships and leveraging resources to help communities, businesses and individuals reach long-term goals and achieve prosperity. EMDC’s service area covers Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock and Washington counties.