Universities Engage with Maine Employers at HR Convention

Maine Employers:  Connect Now for Fall Hiring Events at Maine’s Universities

System Board Chair to HR Convention:  University’s first strategic priority is workforce engagement to build stronger connections to Maine employment for current students and to lift career aspirations of Mainers traditionally underserved by higher education

ROCKLAND, MAINE — The University of Maine System is participating in the Maine HR Convention this week at the Samoset and encouraging employers from across Maine to connect with campus career centers now for Fall 2019 events. Employers also have ongoing opportunities to post available positions and take advantage of employer support services.

Every year Maine’s public universities serve 32,000 students and confer 5,500 degrees and credentials making the University of Maine System the state’s largest and most important workforce development resource.

The campus career centers work with 1,900 Maine employers annually to help build a stronger connection between career-focused university students and Maine workforce opportunities.   This work includes hosting career fairs and networking events, facilitating more than 1,500 internships and experiential learning opportunities, posting jobs, and helping students prepare for the hiring process and the expectations of employers.

The University of Maine System shared a career center directory as part of its engagement with the Maine HR Convention and urged employers to connect with campus staff to learn more about how Maine’s public universities can help meet their workforce needs.

Maine’s faces an acute workforce shortage and skills gap.  In December the University of Maine System Board of Trustees adopted a Declaration of Strategic Priorities that expedites and guides higher education reform over the next five years. It commits the System to the establishment of an employer-engaged, efficient and cost-effective public education continuum that extends from early childhood to retirement.

“Solving our workforce challenges has to include both connecting our current students to Maine employment opportunities and reaching Mainers traditionally underserved by higher education,” said James Erwin, Chair of the UMS Board of Trustees. “To that end the university’s first strategic priority is workforce engagement and employer partnership.  Together we will lift Maine-career aspirations, provide adult learners with access to job-relevant credentials where they live and work, and commit the state’s public education resources to the lifelong success of all of our citizens.”

As part of the HR Convention the University is also providing employers with information about how campuses can help upskill incumbent employees with certifications and micro-credential programs.  Professionals from the University of Southern Maine Office of Professional Development Programs are staffing the University of Maine System booth to network with participants and answer their questions.

Employers can also visit the System Booth to learn about innovations like the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace program.  This $2,000-per-semester accredited online program was designed to meet the needs of adult learners with some college but no degree. It allows them to get college credit for their past learning and work experience while taking advantage of a flat-tuition rate that is less than half the cost of standard, full-time tuition.

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Photo caption from left to right:  Andrew Osheroff, Manager of Operations at the USM Career and Employment Hub, and Champ the Husky encourage employers at the Maine HR Convention to work with campus career centers to help connect Maine’s 32,000 public university students to Maine workforce opportunities
Link to Champs Photo
Link to Photo of Career Center Graphic