Workplace Development Helps Local Businesses

Editor’s Note: For more information on the forum, call the Workplace Learning Partnership Project at 228-8327, or see www.usm.maine.edu/cwl

At a time when businesses are bracing for economic change, employer-sponsored training is critical to maintaining productivity and keeping businesses competitive. A forum that will provide businesses with strategies to upgrade the skills of their workers will be held on Tuesday, June 5, at Central Maine Technical College in Auburn. The forum, “Maine Businesses -- Survive and Thrive” is being presented by the Workplace Learning Partnership Project, an initiative of the University of Southern Maine's Center for Workplace Learning. The $25 participation fee will go toward the Incumbent Worker Training Scholarship Fund.

USM’s economist Charles Colgan will give the keynote address at the forum, and a panel of business and public policy experts, including Congressman John Baldacci, will discuss critical trends in economic development and workforce skills. Workshop sessions will present the tools, that will enable businesses to support employees in gaining the knowledge to perform in changing jobs.

The forum caps a 15-month workplace education project funded by the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. The Workplace Learning Partnership Project has worked with seven businesses in Lewiston and Auburn. Some 360 employees, mostly front line workers in shoe and wood products manufacturing jobs, have completed 580 classes to build the computer, communications, reading and math skills that will improve their performance at work.

Kevin Owens, production manager at Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, a participating business, reported,”Our company has made a positive correlation between worker involvement in skills and communications development programs and increased productivity.  Our business success comes from making as many learning opportunities available as possible.”

Other participating businesses include Acorn Products, Faithworks, Falcon Shoe, Maine Bucket, Maine Shoe, and Phillips Elmet.  The project partners include the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Lewiston Adult Education, Auburn Adult and Community Education, Central Maine Technical College, the Lewiston Career Center, the Central and Western Maine Workforce Investment Board, and the University of Southern Maine.