Smcc

"The Lee organization has benefited tremendously through our partnership with SMCC and their Workforce & Community Development Division. All of our management has profited from professionally taught, well-organized and tailored courses that help meet our manager's needs today. A partnership with SMCC is like having the expertise of an entire training and development department at your fingertips."

- Peter Fitch, Human Resources Director, The Lee Auto Malls.

Maine Quality Centers

Maine Quality Centers promotes economic development by providing job-specific workforce training for new and expanding businesses, new employment and career advancement opportunities for Maine people. The Quality Centers Program offers customized education and training at no cost to the business or the trainees. The Quality Centers Program provides a valuable service not only to employers by reducing their costs of expansion, but also to unemployed and underemployed Maine people by offering them free, specialized training which may lead to quality, full-time jobs with growing Maine companies.

To qualify, a business must create at least eight new full time jobs with competitive wages and benefits. If your business requires fewer than eight new positions, we'll help you team up with other area businesses with similar training needs. Whether training is delivered at your work site, at Southern Maine Community College or another suitable location, you decide how and where your program is implemented. We will accommodate your schedule with day, evening or weekend classes. Training is provided at no cost, and can take place either pre- or post-hire.
Direct benefits to businesses:

• Recruitment and training at no cost.
• Competent, productive employees from day one.
• Access to SMCC training resources.

• Education and training programs that meet employer specifications.
• Instructors and regional staff who coordinate all training.
• Recruitment and screening of trainees.
• Facilities and training equipment.
• Guarantee of all training and education.

Governor's Training Initiative (GTI)

Whether you are a small business or a large company GTI can provide financial assistance to train new employees and retrain existing workers. The Governor's Training Initiative investment is intended to assist competitive skill development that advances the company and the worker to a higher level of competitive performance. Eligible businesses may receive reimbursements for job task analysis, workplace literacy, high performance skills, technical training, higher education, workplace safety and competitive retooling.

• Provide a post-training wage equal to 85% of the average wage for the given occupation in your labor market.
• Contribute at least 50% of the premium cost of employee health insurance, unless you are a small business with less than 25 employees and in business less than 3 years.
• Commit to long-term operation in Maine.

Julie Chase, Assistant Dean
Business & Community Partnerships
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