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Additional Information

  • My Next Move
    This tool is aimed at providing job seekers with information on more than 900 occupations, as well as local job openings and training opportunities in a simple, user-friendly format.
  • Training Opportunity for Laid-off Workers - President's Opportunity Training initiative may help unemployed workers receiving unemployment benefits to qualify for a special hand in paying for education and training.

Training Information for Adult Workers

Do you have the skills you need to advance in your career or get a new job? There has never been a better time for you to think about education or training options that well help you get ahead. The CareerCenter can work with you to set goals, find training, and identify financial resources to make your plan possible. CareerCenters are the providers of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services in Maine

This website also provides information and links to help you with the college planning process. Click on the links below to get started.

Develop a Plan

Planning Tips

Start with a solid plan that takes into account your strengths and interests and includes your career goals.

Assess Your Potential

Everyone has a unique set of skills, interests, and work values. Understanding your strengths can help you identify career options that would be a good match for you. The following sites each provide online self assessment tools that can help you narrow your options.

Identify Your Opportunities

Know what jobs are in demand and how much they pay. These sites provide useful labor market information to help you target careers based on job opportunities.

  • Maine Employment Info Guide - Click on the Job Market Explorer to research Maine labor market trends including wages, employment projections and educational requirements.
  • Maine Jobs In Demand - See a list of selected Maine jobs considered to be "in demand" occupations. These careers are in fields where job growth is expected or employment opportunities will be created through job openings.
  • Employability Checkup - Get a snapshot of the likelihood that you can obtain employment for a specific occupation at your desired wage and location.

Find Training

Where to Get Training

The following links can help you identify training and education programs that will meet your needs.

  • Approved Training Programs - Find training / education programs in Maine that would qualify as approved training for unemployment.
  • List of Maine Colleges and Universities - Locate campuses of the University of Maine and Community College System or identify private colleges near you.
  • Maine Adult Education - Get connected to an Adult Education Program in your area or search statewide for courses that interest you.
  • Education and Training Finder - Use the occupation or keyword search to find educational programs that offer the training you need.
  • Certification Finder - Look for certification providers by keyword, industry, or occupation.
  • Apprenticeship - Contact the Maine Apprenticeship Program to find out more about on-the-job training opportunities with Maine employers.

Financial Help

There are Many Programs to Help You Pay For Education

Get the help you need to pay for your training / education programs. These are a sample of some of the resources available to you.

Financial Aid Programs

Other Grants / Scholarships

  • Maine Scholarship Search - Find scholarships available to Maine residents.
  • Competitive Skills Scholarship - Provides a grant to moderate and low income workers seeking a degree or certificate for skills in high-wage, demand occupations. In addition to helping pay tuition expenses, the program also pays for educational supports not covered by other programs.

Education Savings Accounts

Special Programs for Laid-off Workers

If you have lost your job, you may be eligible for one of the following programs to help you pay for training. Contact your local CareerCenter to see if you qualify.

  • Trade Adjustment Assistance - Provides an education benefit to workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade.
  • Dislocated Worker Benefits - Allows extra weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals profiled as "likely to exhaust" regular unemployment benefits and who are enrolled in approved training programs.
  • Workforce Investment Act - If you are out of work, need job training, or need to brush up on your skills, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program may help you. WIA funds a variety of employment and training programs for youth and adults in various levels of services depending on needs and eligibility.
  • Opportunity.gov - The President's Opportunity Training Initiative can help unemployed workers receiving unemployment benefits to qualify for a special hand in paying for education and training. And aid can be significant: In particular, the Federal Pell Grant program can provide up to $5,350 for educational costs at community colleges, colleges and universities, and many trade and technical schools. This is only one example of several federal student aid programs available to assist unemployed workers. For more information, visit Opportunity.gov.

Other Resources

  • Federal Aid First - Learn about the difference between federal and private education loans, the various kinds of federal loans offered and the dollar amounts available.
  • Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid - Get information about all federal student aid programs - includes an overview of federal student aid, as well as more detailed information on the application process and student loans.
  • Financial Literacy - Offers education on the management of personal finances and is an essential part of planning and paying for postsecondary education. Includes links to websites that providing information on money management, handling credit and debt, and information on consumer protection.