External Resources

Professional development opportunities are offered by a number of organizations, online and in person. A few recommendations are listed below. Contact Human Resources to discuss potential resources for specific individual needs or to arrange for customized department training or facilitated retreats with local, professional, facilitators. 

Local Organizations

• University of Southern Maine (USM) Professional Development Program
  Offers in person and online skills development courses. Register through HR, x:3837, to receive a 20% discount for courses taken for work (charged to the department) or for personal interest.
• Maine Continuing Adult Education
  Offers thousands of classes including business skills training, personal enrichment, and more.
• New Ventures Maine
  Offers tuition-free programs for career, business, and financial education. On-line and in-person courses in ten locations and sixteen counties.

Online Training Options

Free and Affordable Online Trainings

• University College, U-Maine System
  Offers a wide range of highly interactive, affordable, courses that can be taken online. The courses are led by experienced instructors, many of whom are nationally known authors.    
• Khan Academy
  Offers free, personalized learning resource for all ages. Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Subjects such as: math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. The Academy partners with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, The California Academy of Sciences, and MIT  to offer specialized content.
• American Management Association (AMA)
  Offers free webinar series on the newest management thinkings and concepts from world-renowned leaders. 
• Coursera
  Offers hundreds of courses from the world’s best universities and instructors. Courses are open to anyone and you can explore lectures and non-graded material for free. For a cost complete course experiences include graded assignments and certificates. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. 

Resources for Starting or Completing a Degree

Are you looking to start or finish a credential or degree, change careers, or learn a new trade or skill? If so, the MaineSpark Navigator Network can help. We're here to support you on your path to education and job success.

• Maine Community Foundation - Scholarships for Adult Leaners
• Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) - "We help make higher education more accessible and affordable". FAME works to create quality jobs for Maine people.

Undergraduate/ Graduate School Loan Resources

• FAME
  Helps make higher education more accessible and affordable. FAME can help you save for college, learn about financial aid,and manage your student loans after you’ve graduated.
• Opportunity Maine Tax Credit
  Program managed by the Maine Revenue Service
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  Forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
• Income Driven Re-Payment Plan
  Information on Federal school loans repayment
• Veterans Upward Bound
  Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is a free-of-charge program that helps veterans, who have not completed a bachelor's degree, prepare for enrollment at the college of their choice.