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Employing Alternative Labor Pools |
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CEI works closely with many of Maine's public education and training programs and institutions. These include the Maine Department of Labor CareerCenters and Vocational Rehabilitation, Maine Community College System, community adult education centers, Refugee Resettlement, Department of Health & Human Services ASPIRE program (the agency's work readiness program), to name a few. Many of these entities also collaborate to leverage resources and to prepare low-income individuals, those with barriers to employment, and those at risk of poverty or dislocatation, for employment.
Whether a dislocated worker, an individual transitioning off welfare, a person with a disability, someone seeking a better employment opportunity, or a refugee, most are eager to find employment that leads to further skill development, income, assets, and ultimately self-sufficiency. Hiring these individuals can be a strategic and positive business decision. They are eager to learn new skills, be productive, and contribute to a company's mission and effectiveness. CEI, as well as several of the sponsoring organizations, provides a variety of benefits to hiring businesses. Other resources and information about hiring diverse populations can be found below:
The Diversity Hiring Coalition- www.diversityjobsmaine.org
"Hiring New Mainers" - A report by CEI
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Transforming Work |
The bottle room at Hannaford Brothers' Forest Avenue store gets very hectic. Maine's busiest supermarket processes more than a thousand returnables every day.
It can be tough keeping up with the constant flow of plastic, aluminum, and glass, but Charlie Wass is a hard worker. He arrives on time, follows directions, and gets the job done. When Charlie's day is over, he likes to "feel he's done as much as he can". Charlie doesn't work for Hannaford, though. He is an employee of CEI Staffing Services, Inc. (CSSI), a new nonprofit CEI subsidiary.
As a person with a disability, Charlie wasn't often given opportunities to grow in previous jobs. With the support of his CSSI job coach, Charlie is trying new things--fixing machines, using the computer and even helping customers. Charlie has grown so much at Hannaford that he plans to apply for a permanent job.
And, perhaps try bagging.
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Business Advice and Training 
Maine Legislature Passes Model Anti-Predatory Lending Bill.