Ellsworth Adult & Community Education is working with MDI Hospital and Birch Bay Village to offer a Certified Nursing Assistant course.

This is an in-person program with 70 hours of classes scheduled Monday and Tuesday evenings, 20 hours of labs and Wednesday evenings. These sessions will be held at Hancock County Technical Center in Ellsworth.  After the labs are complete, 40 hours of clinical will follow on Wednesdays during the daytime hours. 

CNA Plus also offers BLS, CPR & First Aid, Digital Literacy Certification and a WorkReady credential. 

Interested students can begin on the Northstar Digital Literacy anytime, which is recommended. Here's a link to our CNA Information Session Material

Please call 664.7110, email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org we will make an appointment for you to meet with our student advisor or register you for an upcoming CNA Information Session. 

This course is free for Maine residents who plan to work at a facility in Hancock County. It is funded by a Strengthen Maine's Workforce Grant offered by the State of Maine. 

The Early Childhood Education Micro-Credential is a package of courses and certificates designed to prepare you for an entry level position in a childcare setting.  This credential will allow you to apply for a job with confidence by gaining the knowledge and skills to work with children as well as the employability and digital skills required for success on the job.

The components of the program include:

• Northstar Digital Literacy Certification
• WorkReadyTM Credential
• Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid & CPR Certification
• Communication for the Early Childhood Professional
• A menu of self-paced online courses covering early childhood development, communicating with families, the importance of play, curriculum
• an in-person internship at a local childcare center. 

These courses are being offering on Wednesdays from February through  June.  

For more information about this program, please call 664.7110, email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org, or text 207.613.6460, and we will make an appointment for you to meet with our student advisor (in person or on ZOOM). 

No matter what kind of devices you use, chances are you're not getting the most out of them and it's likely that, sometimes, they are even a source of frustration. Then you're either embarrassed to ask for help or you just don't want to deal with that digital-native eyeroll. No Eyerolls Here!  JOIN US!

Ellsworth's Digital Inclusion Committee is bringing Bring Your Device to Lunch back by popular demand.  We're going to offer it monthly at locations around the community.  Bring your device and a bag lunch AND help you get the most from your technology!  

Technology can be a double-edged sword that can be a HUGE help and an even bigger source of frustration. The devices that keep you connectd become more integral to every day life.  Whether you want to read our local newspaper, connect with friends and family, engage with a healthcare provider or pay your bills, your device is likely to be part of that. 

In this session, you'll sit neighbor-to-neighbor with folks in the community that work in programs that can help you reach your goals-whether it's access to the internet, identifying the right device for you, or learning the skills you need to feel successful.  Some of us also need a dose of digital therapy to overcome the mental, emotional and logistical challenges we face with the fast moving pace that our society embraces technology.  The objective of the day is for you to make connections that will support you.

Aside from the hands-on advice and training, attendees will receive valuable information about additional digital education resources, and affordability programs for broadband connectivity and equipment. 

Please Bring

• your charged device;
• a wish list of what you'd like to learn; and
• your appetite!

Employers tell us they need employees who are skilled, can read well and express themselves, use computers and solve problems. They also tell us they need employees who can come to work regularly and be on time, work as part of a team, and manage conflict.

The WorkReady credential addresses the soft skills need to be successful in the workplace and is designed for people who have difficulty getting or keeping a job. Those eligible and successfully completng the course will earn a recognized credential.  This is a hybrid course with some in-person and some online assignments.    

We are working on the schedule for in-person component of this course, but please reach out to learn more and get started with some of the activities. The first step is to meet with one of our career advisors to make a plan that meets your needs and goals. Call us at 664.7110 to schedule an initial appointment.

No class 02/19/25 or 04/23/25.

Employers tell us they need employees who are skilled, can read well and express themselves, use computers and solve problems. They also tell us they need employees who can come to work regularly and be on time, work as part of a team, and manage conflict.

The WorkReady credential addresses the soft skills need to be successful in the workplace and is designed for people who have difficulty getting or keeping a job. Those eligible and successfully completng the course will earn a recognized credential.  This is a hybrid course with some in-person and some online assignments.

No class 02/20/25 or 04/24/25.    

We are working on the schedule for in-person component of this course, but please reach out to learn more and get started with some of the activities. The first step is to meet with one of our career advisors to make a plan that meets your needs and goals. Call us at 664.7110 to schedule an initial appointment.

In today’s competitive market, can you afford to not offer the very best customer service? 

When customers are pleased with a product or service they may tell one or two others, but when they are dissatisfied you better watch out!  One of the main reasons that customers stop doing business is because someone at that business treated them poorly. Offering consistent, friendly customer service is a key to repeat business and customer loyalty.  A big step to improving customer service is getting your employees to look at their jobs through the eyes of their customer.  

The Ellsworth Adult & Community Education is partnering with the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to offer businesses and individuals an opportunity to enhance their customer service. Trainers will be area employers who focus on quality customer service. Each session will have handouts that can be added to the student’s personal growth file or shared with others in their workplace.  A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who successfully complete all four sessions.

Makeup class, if needed, 04/04/25.

Session I - Friday, March 7, 2025 – First Impressions – The Impact of Attitude and Appearance on Sales and Repeat Business. Participants will discuss positive and negative example of good customer service, 

• The importance of attitude – good or bad, both make a lasting impression
• The importance of dress – What is business casual?

Session II - Friday, March 14, 2025 – Effective Problem-Solving and Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Customers, 

• How to tell people what they don’t want to hear
• Simple ways to help diffuse anger
• In person and on the telephone – smiles work

Session III  - Friday, March 21, 2025– Communication – It’s What You Say AND How You Say It

• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication – body language can speak louder than words
• Active Listening – taking in what is said and what is not said
• Using the right words – grammar is a reflection on you and your company
• Asking open-ended questions – seeking to fully understand situations
• Know your audience – diverse customers = diverse expectations

Session IV - Friday, March 28 , 2025- The Total Package – Going Above and Beyond 

• Taking the extra steps helps ensure customer satisfaction
• Effective problem solving

Meet with an experienced career advisor to assist you in many aspects of planning the next steps in your work life. Whether you’re just entering the job market, ready to make a change or want support with the job search process, Annie Sargent is ready to work with you confidentially to guide you through your next steps and identify resources for more in depth research.  Ongoing enrollment. This offering is available both in-person and online. 

Email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org, or call 207.664.7110, and we will make an appointment for you to meet with our career advisor (in-person or on ZOOM). 

The Ellsworth Adult & Community Education Center is working with the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce to bring relevant and individualized business training to our community. 

Invest in Your Customer Service is being planned for Spring 2025.

WorkReadyTM Credential is a workforce training program designed to prepare participants for the attitudinal and disciplinary rigors of employment and to provide a highly structured simulated work environment that encourages the behavior required for workplace success. 

Business Training-Designed for Your Employees We will design  a training to meet the unique needs of your business. We have experience with task analysis of specific jobs to design and deliver relevant training.  Examples have included training people to write effective notes in healthcare charts, reading instructions and writing notes in a variety of local settings, as well as technology training (ie, Excel and Google Suites for businesses and nonprofits).  These trainings are cost effective and responsive to the business needs.

Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce is offering funding for pre-hire training, incumbent worker training, and scholarships. We can assist businesses in accessing this incredible resource for accessing training! 

We are YOUR public adult education program.  Reach out to Annie Sargent, Director, asargent@ellsworthschools.org, 207.664.7110 (voice) 207.613.6460 (text) to learn more about how we can work with you to build a strong workforce in our community.