***Scroll down for links to the full NWDB Local Area Plan and Appendices***
The Northeastern Workforce Development Board (NWDB) serves Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties. The NWDB is one part of a workforce development system that includes a variety of partners and stakeholders. This network of partners presents opportunities to leverage additional resources and more effectively provide services to all customers.
As the Board works to develop new and reinforce existing partnerships, the goal is always the same: more effectively provide services to job seekers and employers, address skill gaps impeding economic growth, and develop career pathways that support the efforts of workers to access higher wages and more skilled employment.
Core Partners for NWDB and their corresponding WIOA Titles are:
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WIOA Service Providers – Title 1 – Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth programs
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Adult Education – Title 2
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Wagner-Peyser – Title 3 – Maine Career Centers, also known as American Job Centers
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Vocational Rehabilitation – Title 4
Three in-person focus groups were held with stakeholder meetings in Aroostook, Penobscot, and Washington counties. Five virtual meetings were also held with representatives of each of the five counties, Board members, and providers in attendance. These meetings included One Stop Partners, Young Workers Advisory Committee members and stakeholders, NWDB stakeholder meetings.
Each attendee was presented an overview of current labor marker trends and socio-economic patterns impacting the Northeastern region and SWOT analysis completed. Other topics discussed included system changes, initiatives they would like to see the Board engaged in, and the resources they need to be successful.
The Young Worker’s Advisory committee met on three separate sessions and was instrumental in the development of the Youth Survey.
Three interview sessions were scheduled on the following topics: Bureau of Employment Services, Adult Education & Literacy, and One Stop Partners. Participants were asked to identify systemic changes, new services and partnerships, barriers experienced by job seekers, opportunities and assistance for people with disabilities, veterans, and the priority of services.
This Plan is meant to be a “living process” and will be used in an ongoing manner by the NWDB and its Core Partners to guide the implementation of strategies and actions. It will be tracked and monitored regularly so that progress can be communicated to partners and stakeholders and adjustments to strategies and actions can be made as appropriate.
The NWDB Plan aligns with the overarching vision and goals of the State of Maine – 2024-2027 Unified Plan – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The State Plan is based on the following premise: “The success of Maine’s economy will ultimately be determined by the strength and quality of its workforce and the ability of employers to fill their need for skilled labor.” The State Plan lays out the following vision:
Maine’s residents and businesses will have economic opportunity and contribute to the growth of Maine through a responsive, networked and coordinated workforce development system across public and private sectors. All components of the workforce development system will be provided seamlessly, resulting in increased educational and employment attainment for residents with a focus on careers, not just jobs, and support Maine’s business sectors with skilled and qualified workers.
To achieve that vision, the SWB has three primary goals, which will target the state’s workforce resources to achieve the goals outlined in the 10-year economic development plan:
- Maine’s untapped labor pool will enter employment and advance into high-demand occupations of their choice through private and public investment in training, education, and supports.
- Current and future workers will be equipped to meet industry talent needs, with the goal that 60 percent of Maine’s workforce will hold a credential of value by 2025.
- Create a networked, aligned, and demand-driven workforce system across public and private partners and foster the growth of Maine’s economy while supporting equitable, safe, productive employment opportunities.
The Northeastern Workforce Development Board has produced a new Local Area Plan for 2025-2029 that shares the vision and goals set by the State of Maine.
NWDB Local Area Plan and Appendices
2025 Northeastern Workforce Development Board Local Area Workforce Plan
Appendix 1 – Economic and Workforce Data
Appendix 2 – Career Center Flow Chart
Appendix 3 – MOA between the County of Penobscot and NWDB
Appendix 4 – NWDB Policy #006 Customer Support Services
Appendix 5 -Local Area Plan Activities
Appendix 6 – NWDB Policy #002 Handling and Protecting Personally Identifiable Information
Appendix 7 – NWDB Policy #008 WIOA Program Grievance Procedures
Appendix 8 – CareerCenter Customer Complaint Resolution Manual
Appendix 9 – NWDB Policy #009 Americans with Disabilities Act Policy
Appendix 10 – Interpreting Service Available
Appendix 11 – NWDB Conflict of Interest Form
Appendix 12 – NWDB Financial and Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual
Appendix 13 – NWDB Infrastructure Funding Agreement (IFA) Cost Allocation Plan
Appendix 14 – NWDB Policy #003 Local Definition of Youth Requires Additional Assistance
Appendix 15 – Adult Priority of Service
Appendix 16 – PY24-PY25 Negotiated Local Performance Measures
Appendix 17 – NWDB Policy #014 Individual Training Accounts
Appendix 18 – NWDB Young Worker Survey and Results
Appendix 19 – Employer and Business Survey
Appendix 20 – CareerCenter Job Seeker Guide
Appendix 21 – CareerCenter Employer Guide
Appendix 22 – NWDB One Stop Partner Memorandum of Understanding (OSP MOU)