Greater Portland CareerCenter to host Employer Open House, Job Fair on March 4

Portland, Maine - Unemployment tax? Recruiting? Workplace safety? Wage and hour? Employers will have the chance to ask these questions and more of subject matter experts from the Maine Department of Labor on March 4 at the Greater Portland CareerCenter's Employer Open House. The event will be held at the new state offices building located on 151 Jetport Boulevard, Portland, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. A job fair will follow at noon.

"From day one, making Maine more business friendly has been a priority of my Administration," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Department of Labor staff can help you cut through the red tape to get the answers you need. I encourage employers throughout Cumberland County to come meet with our staff at the open house, and stay for the job fair to recruit talented job seekers."

"Through our HR Day events, frequent employer workshops, and this open house, the Department of
Labor and our CareerCenters continue to strive to partner with Maine businesses," said Commissioner of Labor, Jeanne S. Paquette. "We work with employers to help them hire and train staff, and provide guidance on state law before enforcement becomes an issue. Our goal is to teach the answers before we give the test."

The Greater Portland CareerCenter is part of a brand new, two-story, 75,000 square foot facility, co-located with the Department of Health and Human Services and future state agencies, that opened on January 26, 2015. The new facility offers a high-tech information center and computer lab for job seeking, resume writing, and applying for jobs, and spacious conference rooms and interview rooms to host workshops, job fairs, and individualized employer recruitments.

The CareerCenter is a stop on Portland Metro Route 5 and is located just off Exit 46 of the Maine Turnpike, with larger, free parking, making it more accessible to job seekers and employers.

Representatives of the following MDOL programs and services will be available to answer questions and provide information:

- Unemployment Tax - Training programs and workforce development - Hiring and accommodating workers with disabilities - Wage and Hour - SafetyWorks! training and consultation services - Labor market information - CareerCenter recruiting services and assistance for employers - Legislative affairs

The Greater Portland CareerCenter will also play host to their monthly job fair from noon to 3 p.m. on March 4. Employers interested in recruiting job seekers at this no-cost event should contact Ruth Anne Haley or Mark Cafiso at 822-3300.

Job fair exhibit space will fill up fast. Employers must be registered with the Maine Job Bank and have active job listings posted to be eligible to exhibit. Visit the Maine Job Bank at http://www.mainecareercenter.com to begin the account creation process.

"This day will truly be one-stop-shopping for employers in need of consultation, recruitment services or who need questions answered," added Commissioner Paquette.

CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, offer a variety of services to help people find employment or upgrade skills. Each center provides several public-access computer workstations with Microsoft Office software, resume writing and cover letter software, Internet access and O'Net software for skills assessment. All CareerCenter services are free of charge.

The Greater Portland CareerCenter, located at 151 Jetport Boulevard in Portland, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. More information is available on the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com or by calling 822-3300 (TTY users call Maine Relay 711).

Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.