Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 J U N E 2 9 , 2 0 2 6 F O C U S H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N / P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E LO P M E N T EXPECT to learn at your pace Financial aid available for qualified students. at the UNIVERSITY of MAINE at PRESQUE ISLE YO U R J O U R N E Y. YO U R PAC E . affordability EXCEPTIONAL UNPARALLELED BUILT-IN support personal academic success coach flexibility 100% online & fully asynchronous Flat tuition rate per 8 week session— $1,800 for bachelor's, $2,450 for master's umpi.edu/yourpace | umpi-yourpace@maine.edu Looking for a degree completion program that's both affordable and designed to meet the needs of working professionals? APPLY BY 8/3 New graduate certificate in Project Management Fall 1 session starts 8/31/26 HOW S YOUR TEAM? Healthy business starts with healthy people HOW ARE YOU? Northern Light Health Work Health partners with Maine businesses to keep your workforce safe, productive, and supported. Reduce downtime, control costs, and help your business thrive. See our full offerings at workhealthllc.org or call 1.844.975.4584. Our commonly requested services: Work injury management Testing services Immunizations Physical Exams Ergonomics Fit Testing W hile many college students are taking the summer off from school, a record 12,610 undergraduate, graduate and law students are advancing their educa- tion through courses at Maine's public universities. e number is 9.5% higher than last year and marks the highest level since enrollment tracking began two decades ago, the University of Maine System said in a news release on Monday. It's also 28.7% more than five years ago. "At a time when many postsecond- ary institutions in the Northeast face enrollment challenges, the University of Maine System is growing," said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. "As Maine's largest provider of talent, we are proud to be expanding educa- tional and earning opportunities and the workforce to power our state's economy and future." Summer enrollment growth is being driven by strong demand for University of Maine System degree programs and efforts to improve reten- tion, accelerate credential completion and create pathways to high-paying careers. To support those goals, schools have expanded summer offerings to more than 1,700 unique courses. Training for EMTs hits the road Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center's acquisition of a mobile simulation training ambu- lance is expected to address a growing regional need for advanced simula- tion training, particularly in the latest obstetrical and newborn care. e need for the enhanced training capacity is particularly urgent follow- ing the closure of four maternity units in 2025, three of which were within the center's primary coverage area. Many remaining rural hospitals continue to provide maternity care with lower patient volumes, which can strain clinical resources. While obstet- rical and newborn care are a focus, the mobile simulation ambulance will support a range of training scenarios to strengthen overall emergency prepared- ness and patient care across the region. "Health service organizations in eastern and northern Maine have high- lighted a significant need for continued training in high-risk clinical sce- narios, especially emergency obstetri- cal and newborn care," said Dr. James Jarvis, director of clinical education at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. "is mobile unit rep- resents a major step forward in our abil- ity to deliver realistic training directly to the communities that need it most." e vehicle is expected to roll out this summer, expanding hands-on training for emergency service workers and health care professionals across central, eastern and northern Maine. Tool kits in hand, trained builders join workforce Employers in Maine's construc- tion industry, grappling with labor shortages for more than a decade, are getting a batch of job-ready trainees this month. A fast-track construction train- ing program that launched this year recently graduated 25 participants from three community colleges. Maine Construction Academy's Immersion Program is a workforce development initiative of Associated General Contractors of Maine in part- nership with the Maine Community College System and the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce. e four-week program debuted this year as the latest of several workforce initiatives offered through partnerships between AGC Maine, Maine's community colleges and industry employers, all designed to introduce individuals to careers in construction while helping employers connect with job-ready talent. Workforce development is very much a priority in Maine Summer school enrollment soars

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