--- title: Make It In Maine - Training Resources for Maine Manufacturers description: Finding, training, and keeping skilled workers is the biggest challenge facing Maine manufacturers. There has never been more support available to help you meet it. In one hour, we’ll walk through the funding, training, and tax incentives Maine manufacturers can use right now, and show you how to combine them for the most benefit. --- ![White Maine with rivers - for Upskill Maine Icon](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20Maine%20with%20rivers%20-%20for%20Upskill%20Maine%20Icon.png?width=200&height=310&name=White%20Maine%20with%20rivers%20-%20for%20Upskill%20Maine%20Icon.png "White Maine with rivers - for Upskill Maine Icon") # MAKE IT IN MAINE: ## Workforce Resources for Maine Manufacturers ## Friday, October 30 at 1:00 PM Friday, October 30th at 1:00 PM ### MAKE IT IN MAINE: WORKFORCE RESOURCES FOR MAINE MANUFACTURERS A free webinar for Maine manufacturers to close out Manufacturing Month.   Friday, October 30, 2026 1:00 - 2:00 PM ZOOM   Finding, training, and retaining skilled workers is Maine employers' biggest challenge.  More support is available than ever to help you meet it.    In one hour, we'll walk through the funding, training, and tax incentives Maine manufacturers can use right now, and show you how to combine them for the maximum benefit.     What you'll learn: No-cost manufacturing training for your team.  A new $5 million U.S. Small Business Administration grant to Maine's community colleges will train and upskill more than 600 Mainers at no cost.  The grant focuses on small and medium-sized manufacturers.  Central Maine, Southern Maine, and York County Community Colleges offer courses in welding, machining, fabrication, blueprint reading, quality assurance, and advanced manufacturing on a rolling basis.   Getting the most from your Compact membership.  Learn how Maine Workforce Development Compact funding can support training for your current and new employees.   The Dirigo Business Incentive.  Find out how Maine's state tax credit rewards manufacturers for investing in employee training and capital improvements, and why you need to apply before training begins.   The Defense & Manufacturing Training Fund.  Learn how the Maine Department of Labor's fund reimburses employers for training new and current workers.   Registered apprenticeship.  See how apprenticeship can help you build your pipeline and grow talent from within.     We look forward to seeing you on October 30th! ### RECOVERY BASICS: BUILDING RECOVERY-INFORMED COMMUNITIES Join the Harold Alfond Center on April 3rd for **Recovery Basics: Building Recovery-Informed Communities!**   40 million people in the U.S. struggle with substance use disorder.   75% of them are employed. Less than 10% will seek help.   Join the Harold Alfond Center on April 3rd for an inspiring session with Carolyn Delaney, CEO of Journey Magazine, as she shares her powerful journey to recovery and the pivotal role it has played in her mission to build a more compassionate, recovery-informed Maine.  Carolyn will introduce Recovery Basics: Foundation Information for Everyone, a new self-paced course created in partnership with the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce.   This 45-minute course offers accessible, digestible content to help individuals, communities, and employers better understand addiction, recovery pathways, and available support services.  Participants will gain the tools they need to foster empathy, reduce stigma, amplify hope, and support peers.   Whether you're a business leader, educator, family member, or someone curious about recovery, this session will provide you with the tools and knowledge to make a difference.     Participants will earn the Recovery Badge, through Maine's community colleges, the link for peers to take the free training, and an accompanying resource guide for employers.   We look forward to seeing you on April 3rd!   This series is called ***BUSINESS BLUEPRINT:** **Workforce Strategies in Maine's Evolving Economy***, and we'll explore a diverse range of topics that significantly impact employers in Maine, featuring subject matter experts who will share their valuable insights.  Our goal is to give you key takeaways, opportunities, and resources that may be valuable to your organization.   Webinars are open to the public and offered at no cost.  Just reserve your spot below to join the conversation.   ## PANELISTS ![CWinstead\_500x500](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CWinstead_500x500.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=CWinstead_500x500.jpg) ### Chris Winstead **Deputy Executive Director of Workforce Training,** **Maine Community College System** ![Mariah - 500x500](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Mariah%20-%20500x500.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=Mariah%20-%20500x500.jpg) ### Mariah Cunningham-Knaus **Operations Manager,** **Maine MEP** ![W4ME25\_John-Lewis\_opt](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/W4ME25_John-Lewis_opt.jpg?width=260&height=260&name=W4ME25_John-Lewis_opt.jpg) ### John Lewis **Executive Director,**  **MAME** ![Shae-McGehee\_200x200](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Shae-McGehee_200x200.jpg?width=200&height=201&name=Shae-McGehee_200x200.jpg) ### Shae McGehee **Economic Development Incentives Manager,** **Department of Economic and Community Development** ![icon-handshake-small](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hubfs/icon-handshake-small.svg) ### Miguel Moreno **Program Manager,** **The Defense & Manufacturing Training Fund** ![Liz.Love\_400x400](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Liz.Love_400x400.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=Liz.Love_400x400.jpg) ### Liz Love **Director of Sector Partnerships,** **Maine Community College System** --- Who should attend? Owners, HR and training leaders, plant and operations managers, and anyone responsible for hiring or developing talent in a manufacturing company.   Can't make it? Fill out the form below, and we'll send you the recording and a list of resources from the session. ### RESERVE YOUR FREE SPOT BELOW! ![Partner Logo Bar](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Partner%20Logo%20Bar.jpg?width=1450&height=207&name=Partner%20Logo%20Bar.jpg "Partner Logo Bar") [![Alfond Logo](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/HACftAoMWF-ko-with-tagline.png?width=200&height=57&name=HACftAoMWF-ko-with-tagline.png "Alfond Logo")](https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/?hsLang=en) The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce coordinates all short-term workforce training programs for Maine’s community colleges, working closely with business and industry leaders statewide. Launched in 2021, the Alfond Center has served over 60,000 Mainers.  A historic $75.5 million, five-and-a-half-year initiative will enable the Center to train an additional 70,505 Mainers by 2030, significantly impacting Maine's workforce and economy through strategic private and public partnerships. [mailto:alfondcenter@mccs.me.edu](mailto:alfondcenter@mccs.me.edu) [CONSUMER INFORMATION](https://www.mccs.me.edu/about-mccs/system-info/consumer-information/)      **|**      [NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT](https://www.mccs.me.edu/non-discrimination-statement/)      **|**     [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.mccs.me.edu/privacy-policy/)     **|**     [CONTACT US](https://www.mccs.me.edu/workforce-training/alfond-center-contacts/) © 2026 All rights reserved.