Common Threads of Maine Partners with Westbrook Adult Ed Program to Expand Workforce Training

When Common Threads of Maine, a nonprofit school specializing in Maine’s textile industry, made the difficult decision to close recently, owner Dory Waxman reached out to the Westbrook Adult Education program to see if they would be interested in taking over their sewing classes as part of their workforce training program.

“We gave a very enthusiastic YES! to that question and they have since moved into Westbrook Regional Vocational Center (WRVC), which is where our adult education office is located,” explained Jen Mull-Brooks, Director of Westbrook Adult Education.

Common Threads of Maine sent several sewing machines of all kinds to support starting the sewing class and former owner Waxman continues to support the transition by mentoring Mull-Brooks through continuing relationships with existing financial support for the class.

In addition to this, Westbrook Adult Ed. received special permission to run the program during school hours to help break down childcare barriers since school-aged children will be in school. Students in the adult education sewing program will be learning alongside WRVC high school students after passing background checks to ensure it is an appropriate and safe fit.

Waxman has introduced the Adult Ed team at Westbrook to Apphia Mpay who taught at Common Threads. Mpay is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a fashion designer, from a family of artists. Mpay talks about her love of training others and teaching them hand skills with kindness and patience in her biography on the Common Threads website.

“We have hired Apphia to continue teaching with us, as she comes with an incredible reputation for her teaching, stitching, and design skills. We’re so excited to have her as part of our team!” said Jen Mull-Brooks.

To learn more about the courses offered through Westbrook Adult Education, visit their website. Search the Maine Adult Education Class Search, or look for Adult education programs near you.

This story was submitted by Westbrook Adult Education Program. To share good news from your school, please fill out this form.

Ignite PI and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education Partnership Provides Free Hospitality Training in Northern Maine

This spring, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) awarded a $400,000 Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grant to Ignite Presque Isle and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education’s workforce development partnership.

The Maine DOE awarded a total of $4 million in Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grants between 2022 and 2023. These initiatives are funded through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.

Ignite PI is an organization committed to innovation and excellence in the Presque Isle area. Through dedicated training and professional development programs, Ignite PI strives to enhance the standards of the hospitality industry and create meaningful career opportunities for individuals in the area. SAD 1 Adult & Community Education provides comprehensive educational programs, ranging from basic education to vocational training, designed for adult students. Together, the two organizations have created a workforce development partnership that provides free hospitality training for workers.

The Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grant has been imperative to the program’s success. Since the organization’s start in 2022, it has provided more than 4,686 hours of training for Ignite PI employees and 240 hours for non-employees. 135 workers total (94 Ignite PI employees and 41 non-employees) have undergone comprehensive hospitality training. 19 distinct training programs were designed to elevate the skillset of hospitality workers for 15 different local businesses. Not only have job opportunities increased, but the standard of service at multiple establishments has improved due to this training.

“We are thrilled with the progress and positive outcomes of this partnership,” said LeRae Kinney, CEO of Ignite PI. “The training programs have not only improved the capabilities of our employees at Ignite PI but have also contributed significantly to the broader community. This grant has allowed us to offer high-quality education and training free of charge, which is a tremendous asset.”

This program has been incredibly beneficial for businesses in the Presque Isle region. The supervisor of Dean’s Motor Lodge (whose staff attended the B.A.S.I.C.S training) remarked that “the training that my staff received was incredible! By having the opportunity to have face to face conversations and bringing up case scenarios, they were able to better understand the laws.”

The supervisor of Parkhurst Siding Pub (whose staff attended both B.A.S.I.C.S training and ServSafe noted that “It’s certainly nice to be able to hold trainings and elevate our workforce’s knowledge and marketability. These are skills they will keep with them their whole lives. A lot of these are public safety issues at their core so the whole community benefits as well.”

Ignite PI and Sad 1 Adult Ed Partnership Story

The Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grant was originally set to end in June 2024; however, it has now been extended to June 2025 due to its success. Ignite PI, SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, and the Maine Department of Education hope that this extension allows for continued support and expansion of hospitality training programs and access to all who want to enhance their skills. The prolonged grand and positive feedback from business owners highlights the region’s ongoing need for skilled hospitality workers.

“The collaboration between Ignite PI and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education demonstrates the power of community partnerships in addressing workforce development needs,” remarked Shara Page, director of SAD 1 Adult & Community Education. “We are excited to continue this journey and look forward to training even more individuals in the coming year.”

To learn more about Ignite PI, SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, and hospitality training programs, please get in touch with LeRae Kinney lkinney@ignitepi.com or Shara Page pages@sad1.org.

FFA Members Celebrate 94th Annual State Convention

Written By: Lane Carmichael, 2024-2025 Maine FFA Vice President

On Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, FFA chapters from around the state all came together for the 94th annual Maine FFA State Convention. Caribou, Presque Isle, Mars Hill, Easton, Ashland, Fryeburg Academy, and Bangor United Technologies Center were all in attendance.

The Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) helps students develop their leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Maine FFA has over 300 members, with chapters located throughout the state. The association is led by a team of student officers.

Each spring the Maine FFA Association hosts a convention and this year the organization celebrated its’ 94th annual event.

There were 216 FFA members and guests present at the convention. Volunteers from the industry, including the Cooperative Extension, higher education, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), and FFA alumni were on site to assist. Students were given the opportunity to compete in leadership and career development events, workshops, and service projects. These events help build the students not just as FFA members but as individuals. Students placing in events have the opportunity to represent Maine at the “Big E” and National FFA Convention. This year, over $5,000 in awards and scholarships were provided to members for their achievements.

“FFA gives us opportunities to learn and grow. We are able to find out what we want to do later in life,” said Abram Jackson of Presque Isle High School. Multiple members expressed their appreciation for FFA and how it has changed their lives.

“FFA has brought me out of my comfort zone and has given me a broader perspective not only on the state level but nationally,” said 2023-24 State FFA President, Brinleigh Kingsbury.

The FFA serves as a tool to all members enabling them to grow and expand their circle of influence.

At the end of the convention the 2024-25 State of Maine FFA officer team was announced. These students will lead the organization over the next year, attending representational events, traveling across the nation, meeting with industry leaders and facilitating workshops.

This year’s officers consist of:

President, Haley Mayne of Caribou FFA
Vice President, Lane Carmichael of Presque Isle FFA
Secretary, Hannah Shaw of Mars Hill FFA
Sentinel, Brinleigh Kingsbury of Mars Hill FFA
Reporter, Julia Pierce of Mars Hill FFA
And Treasurer, Mia Arcott of Presque Isle FFA

FFA is a student-led organization with more than 945,988 members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As part of the overall effort in Maine agriculture & natural resources education, students in grades 6-12 eligible for FFA membership are those enrolled in at least one course related to agriculture (including aquaculture, agriscience, biotechnology, forestry, horticulture, natural resource management and other biological and physical science courses that include applications to agriculture).

To join FFA, students must have a local chapter with an FFA advisor. Those wishing to start a new FFA chapter should contact Emily Doughty, Maine FFA State Liaison.

To learn more about the Maine FFA Association please visit: maineffa.alumni.com or contact Emily Doughty at emily.doughty@maine.gov

Webinar: Becoming a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment or an Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Please join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, Education Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Children, and Catholic Charities Maine for a joint presentation about how to become a teacher of students with visual impairments or an orientation and mobility specialist.

Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree? Would you like a free Master’s degree? Do you enjoy working with children? Do you like variety in your job settings and enjoy travel? Are you looking to expand your professional skills? If you answered yes to these questions…

Please join us for a webinar to learn more about becoming a teacher of students with visual impairment or an orientation and mobility specialist.

Tuesday, January 30th
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Held virtually via Zoom – Register here

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This webinar will be recorded for you to view at your convenience.

For additional information or questions please contact Amanda Castner at amanda.castner@maine.gov.

Two Request for Proposals Now Open for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Grant Funding

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce the release of two requests for proposals (RFP) as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), to award multi-year funding to eligible agencies for the provision of WIOA Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) 231 services and the provision of WIOA Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Section 243, Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education/Integrated Education and Training (IELCE).

It is the purpose of Maine Adult Education under WIOA to provide adult education and literacy services that align with the goals in the State of Maine Unified Plan and encourage the growth of educational opportunities and, where applicable, to ensure career, citizenship, and college readiness for all Maine adults (Maine Education and School Statutes 20-A, 8601).

Signed into law in 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires the alignment of workforce, education, and economic development systems to support access to high-quality, comprehensive, and accessible workforce services for all individuals, including those with significant barriers to employment. Title II of WIOA retains and expands the purposes of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), which aims to help adults, including immigrants, acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain employment, become full partners in the educational development of their children, improve economic opportunities for their family, and aid in the transition to postsecondary education and training.

The request for proposal (RFP), which includes information regarding eligibility, program requirements, and more, is available here.

Below is the anticipated timeline for the Department’s current AEFLA grant competitions:

Timeline	AEFLA 231 (Link to RFP here: 202312252)	AEFLA 243 (IELCE) (Link to RPF here: 202401001)
RFP Released to Public	January 23, 2024	January 17,2024
Bidders Conference	February 5, 2024	n/a
Deadline for Submission of Questions in Response to RFP	February 9, 2024	January 25, 2024
Proposal Deadline	March 7, 2024	February 29, 2024
Grant Award Notifications	May 2024	May 2024
Grant Award Start Date	July 2024	July 2024

Please be advised that the dates above are subject to change. Interested organizations must consult the RFP document for the most accurate dates and deadlines regarding this opportunity.

For more information on AEFLA 231 and 243 , contact State Adult Education Director Megan Dichter at megan.dichter@maine.gov.

Lewiston Adult Education Honors Their First Apprenticeship Pathway CNA Graduates

(Pictured: Gerda Tuffour, left, and Gisele Linyonga, right, are the first students to successfully complete the three modules of the Apprenticeship healthcare pathway)

Lewiston Adult Education Healthcare Apprenticeship Pathway, a 6-month series of courses designed for Multilingual Learners, resulting in multiple certificates for employment in the healthcare industry, is proud to announce the graduation and employment of its first CNA Apprenticeship students. The pathway includes a heavy emphasis on the English language of healthcare, covering reading technical text and case notes, writing incident reports, and workplace verbal communication, including extensive healthcare vocabulary.

Students also earn multiple certifications to support employment, beginning with Bloodborne Pathogens, teaching Pre-Apprentices how bloodborne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure, and what to do if exposed to infectious material. The next level in the Pathway is Personal Support Specialist (PSS), which includes effective language skills for work, and WorkReady (a state certificate that shows the students can understand and demonstrate 7 work skills competencies). Thirteen participants successfully passed these exams, and five of them are currently employed. Students can then become participants in the Certified Nursing Assistant pathway.

Partners in this employment pathway are the Lewiston CareerCenter which supports students eligible for training funds from the Dept. of Labor, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and Clover Healthcare. Clover Healthcare offers the use of its facility as a clinical site for the required clinical hours of the course and is also a registered apprenticeship site for the students completing the course. Clover Healthcare has now hired these students and will be working with them as apprentices for the next year continuing training and support in the healthcare field. The Maine Apprenticeship Program assists in setting up structured yet flexible training programs designed to meet the specific needs of Maine employers through on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction.

The graduation ceremony was held at Lewiston Adult Education Learning Center on September 7, 2023. Family members, staff, and guests were in attendance to celebrate Gisele and Gerda’s success. A second cohort is scheduled to complete the program in early October, and a third just began in August. The next session will begin in March 2024.

For more information on the upcoming Apprenticeship healthcare pathway, please contact Josee Castonguay (207) 795-4100 x4136 or email jcastonguay@lewistonpublicschools.org.

Career Navigator, Strengthening Maine Workforce Program Help New Mainers get Jobs at Maine General

Kennebec County Career Navigator Karen Morin supports job seekers getting hired at Maine General Hospital in Augusta. Three people have had job offers thus far while the rest are in the process of getting hired.

Career Navigators are part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP) which has committed $6 million dollars to address the workforce development needs of those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Maine’s Department of Education, Adult Education team is using these funds to help eligible adults and employment sectors recover from the stresses of the pandemic through a variety of academic and job training supports including Career Advancement Navigators and College and Career Success Coordinators.

Augusta Adult and Community Education is partnering with Maine General Health to provide English as a Second Language classes to Maine General Health multilingual employees as well as the addition of a new pre-health class. The program will reduce barriers that may affect their employees from participating in programming by funding transportation, childcare, and technology costs for employees in environmental services and grounds keeping for career advancement and life skills.

To learn more about Career Navigators and Maine Strengthening workforce please click here.