York County CareerCenter offers Workshops to Boost Employment

January Programs for Job Seekers at the York County CareerCenter

12/23/2015 10:42 AM EST

SPRINGVALE - The York County CareerCenter in Springvale continues its workshop programs for job seekers and those considering training to upgrade their skills and increase their employability.

"I urge Mainers looking for work to connect with their local Maine CareerCenter," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Resources like workshops and computer labs will help you improve your job prospects. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for training that leads to a new career at no cost to you."

CareerCenters can assist businesses by offering workshops on location, at local businesses or other organizations at no cost. The following workshops and programs will be held at the CareerCenter in Springvale unless otherwise noted.

Resume Writing - Tuesday, January 5, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Explore the basics of resume writing and learn how to promote the qualifications you have that directly match what the employer needs. Registration required.

Essentials of College Planning Workshop - Monday, January 11, 10 a.m. to Noon

Randi Paine from the Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) will offer a free workshop for adults 19 and older covering topics on College Awareness and Planning along with the Federal Financial Aid process. The instructor will assist participants in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Space is limited please call Karen Hadley Keim at 1-800-281-3703 or 581-3736 to register or visit MEOC's website, meoc.maine.edu.

Monthly Job Fair at the CareerCenter - Thursday, January 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Explore your next employment opportunity. Representatives from the following companies will be here interviewing prospective employees: Tom's of Maine, Spurwink, Bonney Staffing, and Living Innovations. For a complete list of employers please check our website as it will be updated as new employers sign on. No appointment required.

GATEways to Employment - Friday, January 8 and 22, 9 a.m. to noon

Join us for the beginning installment of our "workshop trilogy." Learn how assessments can identify abilities, interests, and skills and discover the unadvertised job market. Other topics include Job Search Strategies, Resumes, Cover Letter Tips and Interviewing. Registration required.

Introduction to Making Career Choices - Friday, January 15, 10 a.m. to noon

Ready for a career change but don't know where to start? This workshop will help point you in the right direction. We will cover what to consider when making a career choice, the steps involved in creating a career plan, and the resources available to help you succeed. This workshop will be presented by Laurie McDonnell of New Ventures Maine. Registration is required call 324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151.

Interview Skills - Tuesday, January 19, 9 a.m. to noon

Learn how to emphasize your skills, overcome objections and motivate the interviewer to hire you. Registration required.

Trash to Cash: The Lucrative World of eBay - Monday, January 25, 9 to 11 a.m.

Are you interested in starting a store on eBay? Selling on eBay can be a little tricky to start, Christina Bruyere will share some of her 12 years of experience studying and selling on eBay! Join us if you'd like to learn more about how to turn your own trash into cash. Seating will be limited so registration is required. Please call 324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151 to reserve a seat.

Let Your Age be an Asset, Not a Barrier - Friday, January 29, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Are you interested in starting a store on eBay? Selling on eBay can be a little tricky to start, Christina Bruyere will share some of her 12 years of experience studying and selling on eBay! Join us if you'd like to learn more about how to turn your own trash into cash. Seating will be limited so registration is required. Please call 324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151 to reserve a seat.

Employer Recruitments for January - Weekly Job Fair: Adecco Staffing, CoWorx, and MASIS will be recruiting at the York County CareerCenter from 1 to 4 p.m. on the following Mondays: January 4, 11 and 25. Current openings in Sanford, Biddeford, Saco and Portland areas. No appointment is required. Please bring two valid forms of ID. Please check our website for updates and additions. Schedule is subject to change.

Competitive Skills Scholarship Program

The Competitive Skills Scholarship helps workers learn new skills and succeed in a changing economy. The program is open to all qualified Maine residents and pays for education and training for high-wage jobs in demand in Maine. York County is currently accepting applications for the program. For more information or to download an application please follow this link: http://www.mainecareercenter.com/services-programs/training/cssp/index.shtml

The York County CareerCenter will also feature several sessions led by these partner organizations in January:

Women Unlimited - Consultations with a Non-Traditional Occupations Specialist for those interested in exploring non-traditional occupations (NTO) for women, and who are considering a potentially better-paying job. Contact Sue LeClair, NTO specialist at (207) 215-6992.

Workforce Solutions administers federally funded employment and training programs through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Certain eligibility requirements apply. If you think you might qualify or could benefit from this program, please call the Workforce Solutions Center in Biddeford at 207-571-3301 to schedule a date for a training orientation.

New Ventures Maine - Helping Maine people succeed in their jobs, businesses, and communities. We help individuals recognize strengths, overcome barriers, find resources, develop a plan, and take action towards their goals: start a business, find a career, return to school, build assets, and be active in the community. Looking for something different? Register for no-cost trainings at locations across Maine. Check on line to see what we have scheduled or call 1-800-442-2092.

Follow and keep track of our latest events on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. To find us on LinkedIn, go to LinkedIn.com and search for "York County Maine CareerCenter." To find us on Facebook, go to Facebook.com and search "York County Maine CareerCenter." To follow us on Twitter, go to Twitter.com and search for "York CareerCenter."

CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, offer a variety of services to help people find employment or upgrade skills. Each center provides several public-access computer workstations with Microsoft Office software, resume writing and cover letter software, Internet access and O'Net software for skills assessment. All CareerCenter services are free of charge.

The York County CareerCenter, located at 9 Bodwell Court in Springvale, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and can be reached at 207-324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151 (TTY users should dial Maine Relay 711). You can also find more information at the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com . Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Governor, Department of Labor, Urge the Unemployed to File Online in Anticipation of Layoffs.

12/18/2015 01:39 PM EST

*Claimants advised to check the website for advance notice of system maintenance over the next several weeks that will affect claim filing*

AUGUSTA-Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette urges people who anticipate that they will be filing unemployment claims now through early in the new year to file online and to make sure that they are fully registered on the Maine Job Bank.

The first week of January is usually the busiest week of the year for unemployment claims as post-holiday seasonal layoffs occur at businesses around the state. Claimants must be registered on the Job Bank before they will be allowed to file an initial or continuing claim.

Governor Paul R. LePage advised, "Our goal is to help people who have lost a job return to the workforce as soon as possible. Even a temporary job can provide additional income to supplement unemployment and allow individuals to gain additional skills."

Paquette stated, "If you are laid off, the best way to apply for unemployment is to file online at the Department of Labor's unemployment website at http://www.file4ui.com . You must also register with the Maine Job Bank at http://www.mainecareercenter.com .

She added, "Due to required system maintenance, it will be a good idea to check the website a few days in advance of when you plan to file your claim to be able to plan for these periodic outages." System maintenance is planned for Sunday, December 20 and again on Sunday, January 10; these dates are subject to change. These outages will affect both the Job Bank and unemployment systems.

As part of the process for filing an unemployment claim on the website or by phone, all individuals will be checked for an active and complete Job Bank registration. Those who do not have an active or completed Job Bank account will be required to register with the Maine Job Bank before filing their next claim. Individuals who have already taken that step will be able to file their claim more quickly and may avoid having to call the department and experience a long wait time on the phone.

"We urge you to activate your Job Bank account as soon as possible, even before you are laid off, and to file online for unemployment," stated the Commissioner. "Although laid-off workers can phone in their unemployment claims, high call volumes mean longer wait times, especially if the systems were scheduled for maintenance on the weekend. Our website offers the most convenient way to file a claim 24 hours a day and also connects job seekers to resources that will help them get a new job," the Commissioner explained.

Federal and state law requires all individuals filing for unemployment insurance benefits be registered with the Maine Job Bank or the equivalent for the state in which they reside.

Workers should use the correct website to file their claims. The department warns that there are many websites that offer to help laid-off workers file an unemployment claim. Some charge fees for the service, while others attempt to gather personal data on the people who use the sites. The safest way to file a claim online is by visiting http://www.file4ui.com .

People who do not have access to a computer or Internet are encouraged to use a computer at their local CareerCenter or public library. CareerCenter staff can help claimants sign up for a free email address, register for the Job Bank, learn how to create a resume and apply for jobs online.

Seasonal layoffs most often occur in the tourism, construction and retail sectors. Although claims typically increase right after Christmas, they drop off significantly in late winter as people begin to return to work.

In order to qualify to collect unemployment benefits, workers must have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, be actively seeking work and be able to accept new work. Workers who do not participate in a suitable, verifiable work search, who have not completed their Job Bank registration or who do not document their work search risk losing unemployment benefits and could be required to pay back benefits they have received.

For more information about unemployment benefits, please visit http://www.file4ui.com . Information and support for job seekers or those interested in changing careers, including the link to the Maine Job Bank, are available at http://www.mainecareercenter.com .

Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Maine Department of Labor Announces November Unemployment Rate Trends Continue to Drop....

Maine Unemployment Rate 4.1 Percent in November

State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released November workforce estimates for Maine. Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data Household Survey Estimates – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.1 percent for November was down slightly from 4.3 percent in October and down from 5.5 percent one year ago. The unemployment rate was the lowest since 2002. The number of unemployed declined 10,500 over the year to 27,900. The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 5.0 percent was unchanged from October and down from 5.8 percent one year ago. The estimate of the employment to population ratio (age 16 and over) in Maine of 59.5 percent was the lowest since 2011. The share of employed population is likely to continue to trend lower as large numbers of baby boomers retire. The U.S. average was 59.3 percent. The New England unemployment rate averaged 4.6 percent. Rates for other states were 3.2 percent in New Hampshire, 3.7 percent in Vermont, 4.7 percent in Massachusetts, 5.2 percent in Rhode Island, and 5.1 percent in Connecticut. Labor force and unemployment data is available here. Payroll Survey Estimates – The preliminary nonfarm payroll jobs estimate of 612,500 for November was up 7,700 from one year ago. The gain was entirely in the private sector, primarily in the professional and business services, hospitality, retail trade, and healthcare sectors. The estimate for government was unchanged from one year ago. Nonfarm payroll jobs data is available here. Not Seasonally Adjusted Sub-state Data The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate estimate of 3.9 percent in November was down from 5.3 percent one year ago. Not seasonally adjusted rates were down over the year in all 16 counties, with the largest declines in Hancock, Piscataquis, and Washington County (-2.0 points). Rates ranged from 3.0 percent in Sagadahoc County to 5.6 percent in Somerset County. The unemployment rate was below the statewide average in all three metro areas: Portland-South Portland (3.1 percent), Lewiston-Auburn (3.6 percent) and Bangor (3.7 percent). This release is available here. December workforce estimates will be released Tuesday, January 26 (Data Release Schedule). NOTES: 1. Preliminary labor force estimates, including unemployment and employment to population ratios for Maine, tend to move in a direction for several months and then reverse course. Those directional trends are largely driven by a smoothing procedure and may not indicate a change in underlying workforce conditions. Annual revisions (to be published in March 2016) will moderate or eliminate those directional patterns. In addition, the 90 percent confidence interval for statewide unemployment rates in 2015 has been 0.5 to 0.7 percentage points above or below the published estimate each month. 2. Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates tend to be volatile from month to month because there is variability in the sample of reporting employers and their representativeness for the universe of all employers. Additionally, seasonal adjustment is imperfect because weather, the beginning and ending of school semesters and holidays, and other events do not always occur with the same timing, which can exacerbate monthly volatility. Users should look to the trend over multiple months rather than the change from one specific month to another. Estimates for the period from October 2014 to September 2015 will be replaced with actual payroll data in March 2016. Those benchmark revisions are likely to show less volatility than preliminary estimates.

Employer 2016 Unemployment Contribution Schedule to Drop to Lowest Rate Since 2009

 

Employer 2016 Unemployment Contribution Schedule to Drop to Lowest Rate Since 2009

Businesses will save $30 million in unemployment taxes next year

The Maine Department of Labor has released the 2016 Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Schedule. Rates will drop to the Schedule B level, the lowest rate since 2009. This drop represents an approximate 21 percent decrease in unemployment taxes paid per employee.

The 2016 Rates per $1,000 paid an employee

• Minimum rate will be 0.57 percent
• The maximum rate is 5.40 percent
• The average rate, which is also the new employer rate, will be 2.04 percent.

Examples:

• Employers paying the minimum rate will see an annual decrease of $20.40 in taxes per employee paid at least $12,000 in wages.
• Employers paying the average rate will see a decrease of $67.20 per employee.
• Employers paying the maximum rate will see a decrease of $175.20 per employee.

Employers should receive their individual 2016 rate notices in mid-to-late December. Employers with questions about their 2015 or 2016 unemployment contributions should visit the department’s webpage on unemployment taxes at http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/tax.html or call (207) 621-5120.

Maine Unemployment Rate 4.3 Percent in October

State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released October workforce estimates for Maine. Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data Household Survey Estimates – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.3 percent for October was little changed from 4.4 percent in September and down from 5.6 percent one year ago. The unemployment rate was the lowest since 2002. The number of unemployed declined 9,600 over the year to 29,100. The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 5.0 percent was little changed from 5.1 percent in September and down from 5.7 percent one year ago. The estimate of the employment to population ratio (age 16 and over) in Maine of 59.6 percent was the lowest in four years. In the years ahead, the share of employed population is likely to gradually trend lower as large numbers of baby boomers retire. The U.S. average was 59.3 percent. The New England unemployment rate averaged 4.6 percent. Rates for other states were 3.3 percent in New Hampshire, 3.7 percent in Vermont, 4.6 percent in Massachusetts, 5.3 percent in Rhode Island, and 5.1 percent in Connecticut. Labor force and unemployment data is available here. Payroll Survey Estimates – The preliminary nonfarm payroll jobs estimate of 611,300 for October was up 5,500 from one year ago. The gain was entirely in the private sector, primarily in the professional and business services, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. The estimate for government was unchanged from one year ago. Nonfarm payroll jobs data is available here. Not Seasonally Adjusted Substate Data The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate estimate of 3.6 percent in October was down from 4.9 percent one year ago. Not seasonally adjusted rates were down over the year in all 16 counties, with the largest decline in Franklin County (-1.8 points). Rates ranged from 2.8 percent in Sagadahoc County to 5.4 percent in Somerset County. The unemployment rate was below the statewide average in the Portland-South Portland metro (2.9 percent) and close to the average in Lewiston-Auburn (3.5 percent) and Bangor (3.5 percent). This release is available here. November workforce estimates will be released Friday, December 18 (Data Release Schedule). NOTES: 1. Preliminary labor force estimates, including unemployment and employment to population ratios for Maine, tend to move in a direction for several months and then reverse course. Those directional trends are largely driven by a smoothing procedure and may not indicate a change in underlying workforce conditions. Annual revisions (to be published in March 2016) will moderate or eliminate those directional patterns. In addition, the 90 percent confidence interval for statewide unemployment rates in 2015 has been 0.5 to 0.7 percentage points above or below the published estimate each month. 2. Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates tend to be volatile from month to month because there is variability in the sample of reporting employers and their representativeness for the universe of all employers. Additionally, seasonal adjustment is imperfect because weather, the beginning and ending of school semesters and holidays, and other events do not always occur with the same timing, which can exacerbate monthly volatility. Users should look to the trend over multiple months rather than the change from one specific month to another. Estimates for the period from October 2014 to September 2015 will be replaced with actual payroll data in March 2016. Those benchmark revisions are likely to show less volatility than preliminary estimates.

MAINE Unemployment Payments Switched to New Bank / New Card System.

 

 

Unemployment Recipients to Receive New Debit Card from US Bank

07/23/2015 11:08 AM EDT

**Claimants advised not to throw away Chase Visa debit card**

AUGUSTA-People who file for unemployment benefits in Maine and receive their payments through the Chase Visa debit card are receiving the new ReliaCard from U.S. Bank. Benefits will be paid to the card this week. Recipients who receive their benefits by direct deposit to their bank account will not be affected by the change, although they will be sent the new card as a back-up method of payment.

JP Morgan Chase, the provider of the previous debit card is no longer providing unemployment insurance deposit services to state unemployment systems.

"We are telling unemployment insurance recipients who have a balance on their current Chase Visa MAP card not to throw away their current card," said Jeanne S. Paquette, Commissioner of Labor. "Balances remaining on the current Chase Visa MAP card will not transfer to the new U.S. Bank ReliaCard. Unemployment insurance recipients who've had their payments deposited to the Chase Visa debit card must continue to use their existing card until the balance reaches zero, and they can also use the new card at the same time to access benefit payments made after July 24, 2015."

The U.S. Bank ReliaCard is a prepaid Visa card that can be used at ATMs, financial institutions and anywhere that the Visa logo is displayed. Unemployment benefits will be paid on the new ReliaCard from U.S. Bank starting with benefit payments made overnight on July 23, 2015. All unemployment benefit payments made after 5 p.m. on July 23, 2015 will automatically be made to the new card.

Benefit recipients should have received a letter notifying them of the switch to the new card. An email was also sent to affected claimants.

The U.S. Bank Visa debit card will arrive in a plain, white, unmarked envelope with an "Indianapolis, IN" return address. The department advises claimants to watch for the envelope, and carefully go through "junk" mail to avoid throwing out the new card by accident.

Any balance on a current MAP card will not transfer over to the new card. Benefit recipients should continue to use the Chase Visa debit card until its balance reaches zero before destroying the old card. However, you do not need to use up the balance on the old card before using the new card.

Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/mapcard/faqs.html

Claimants who accidentally threw away their Chase Visa debit card and still have a balance should call 1-866-315-1011.

Claimants who accidentally threw away their new U.S. Bank ReliaCard, call 1-855-282-2030.

For more information, please visit: http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/mapcard/index.shtml