Training Support Through Maine’s Community Colleges

In addition to funding through the Maine Workforce Development Compact, Maine’s employers can access state-funded workforce training through two programs managed by the Maine Community College System: Maine Quality Centers (MQC) and Put ME to Work (PMTW). These programs are designed to help businesses train new hires or develop talent pipelines by supporting pre-hire training for prospective employees or upskilling new hires who have been with your organization for less than six months. All training projects must be delivered in partnership with one of Maine’s seven community colleges. If you don’t have a selected partner, don’t worry, we’ll assign one for you.

To apply, employers will be asked to provide company information, current employer data, anticipated training needs, and a description of the expected public benefits of the project. Required documentation includes recent financial records and a summary of employee benefits. These programs prioritize high-quality training that contributes to workforce development and long-term employment outcomes for Maine residents.

Maine Quality Centers

The Maine Quality Centers program, established by the Maine State Legislature in 1994, serves as a flexible and efficient economic development resource for Maine, focused on growing Maine businesses, the workforce, and the economy.

Serves: Pre-hire and incumbent workers

Funding Requests:

• 1–50 employees: 100% grant funded
• 51–100 employees: 75% grant funded with 25% employer match
• 101+ employees: 50% grant funded with 50% employer match

Eligibility:

Businesses must have a physical location in Maine, pay competitive wages and benefits for the job and region, and offer employees health insurance, paying a minimum of 50% of the individual average cost. Positions must require three months or more of training to fully learn the job (not entry-level) and be full-time (35+ hours per week) and year-round.

Put ME to Work

Established in 2015, Put ME to Work facilitates job training programs at Maine’s community colleges designed and built through partnerships with private businesses, focused on high-demand fields.

Serves: Pre-hire

Funding Requests:

At least 50% grant funded; can be matched with direct funds or in-kind including equipment or a teaching facility.

Eligibility:

Put ME to Work businesses must hire those who successfully complete the job training program at a post-training wage of at least $2.50 per hour above the state minimum wage. Employers must provide successful incumbent worker trainings with a wage increase to meet or exceed the median wage for that occupation in the state. Employers must support at least 50% of the job training program’s start-up costs through funds or in-kind contributions.