President Daigler statement on Governor signing legislation to implement Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan

AUGUSTA, ME – Maine Community College System (MCCS) President David Daigler issued the following statement after Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1733, legislation to implement the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, which includes $35 million for workforce training for Maine’s community colleges.

“This is great news for Maine, and we are eager to get to work,” said MCCS President David Daigler.

“Workforce development is critical to the state’s economic health and ability to rebound from the impact of the pandemic. The $35 million in this budget package earmarked for the Maine Community College System gives us critical one-time funding to focus quickly and effectively on providing training for Maine businesses and support Maine people transitioning to the post-pandemic, skill-based economy.”

“We are ready to put the funding to work immediately. The colleges have been laying the groundwork, signing short-term, workforce training agreements with more than 80 companies and business associations. That compact spells out how Maine’s community colleges and Maine businesses are working together to offer Maine workers expanded workforce training opportunities and tuition incentives at the state’s seven community colleges.”

The business partners, representing almost 100,000 workers, signed the Maine Workforce Development Compact with Maine Quality Centers (MQC,) the workforce training arm of the Maine Community College System.

Under the Compact, MQC will provide employees of Compact members with scholarships and discounted tuition towards college courses offered by a Maine community college, and provide workforce training. Businesses will support employees who enroll in college courses to work toward a college degree, appoint a workplace liaison for the program, coordinate trainee support and advise MQC on future workforce training program needs.