Education & Job Training

ASPIRE/Parents as Scholars (FedCap): 1-844-653

ASPIRE provides financial help to a parent in finding employment; job training & job preparation. Parents As Scholars provides a monthly payment to help a parent attending a 2-year or 4-year college program. (Payments are based on TANF eligibility).
Fedcap Machias: 271-4810 / 1-844-585-2505
89 Court Street (located in the Federal building next to the Machias Post Office)
Open Mon – Fri, 8a – 5p
Fedcap Calais: 1-877-369-0935
10 Barker Street (located in the same building as CHCS and Logit Call Center)
Open Mon – Fri, 8a – 5p
Note to Families & Childcare Providers paid by ASPIRE: ASPIRE benefits are submitted through Fedcap case workers. To follow up on an ASPIRE payment that has not been received, contact the ASPIRE Support Services team at 624-5200 or email them at SupportServices.DHHS@maine.gov

Axiom Education and Training Center: 255-4917

(see Washington County Adult Education below)

Career Center: Calais 454-7551 / Machias 623-7981

Assistance with job training opportunities; Assistance with job searches, resumes, and applications; Assistance in changing career paths
Whether you’re looking for your first job, trying to find another job, or striving for a better job — Maine CareerCenters provide a variety of employment and training services at no charge to help you in your search. You do not need to be claiming unemployment benefits or be out of work to use our services. Give us a call, send us an email or stop on by. We’ll take a look at each step of your career-decision process and make recommendations as to which CareerCenter resources might be most helpful in your situation. Our main office is in Machias, but in Calais we have a satellite location which has a small information center with a phone, a couple of public computers, and a photocopier available to use for job searching.
Calais: 5 Lowell Street | Wednesdays 9a – 4p
Machias: 53 Prescott Drive, Suite 1 | Mondays thru Fridays 8a – 5p

College Transitions Support (through Wash. County Adult Ed): 255-4917

Free support for people who may be thinking of taking college courses but are not sure what career path is right for them, or not sure how to apply for school, fill out financial aid forms, or take college entrance exams. Help is available in taking the Accuplacer test and free tutoring offered if the Accuplacer test results are low.
Free tutoring is also available for students already enrolled in college but who may need extra help to keep up with their classes. Support staff can travel to meet with folks anywhere in the county. Call for more information.

Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (at the Career Center): 255-1920

Program Specialists are there to counsel veterans in all aspects of job search and career development

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation – ME Dept. of Labor: 255-1900

Assistance for people with disabilities — for job training, educational expenses, special equipment needed to start or keep a job, and help finding a job

Eastern Maine Development Corp. – Education Assistance: 951-2349

Offering financial assistance to low-income families who are pursuing education or a new career path. They can help with mileage, childcare, books, laptops, certifications, and even on-the-job training. Also if families have any experience within the last 2 years of doing migrant farm work, there are additional resources that may be available. For information contact Amanda Smith at 255-0983, or email her at asmith@emdc.org.

Family Futures Downeast (FFD): 255-0983

A program designed for parents of young children to attend college, earning 16 credit hours and a Certificate in Family Studies. The certificate covers core courses that participants can use to continue their education toward degrees or certifications in a number of fields or professions. FFD students can choose to take classes in Machias or Calais. In Machias, students will attend classes on the UMM Campus and in Calais at the Washington County Community College campus. Financial assistance, childcare, transportation, dinner meals and snacks, school supplies and mentoring throughout the year-long course of study are provided to help students succeed. Courses are scheduled for two evenings per week. HiSET or high school diploma is required and a parent must have a child under 8 years old to participate in the program. Contact: familyfutures@sunrisecounty.org Also on Facebook at Family Futures Downeast

FastWeb and FinAid!

Online student guides for financial aid for college

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME): 1-800-228-3734

Resource information for paying for college

The Gracie Fund (through SCEC): 207-255-0983

The Sunrise Economic Council manages The Gracie Fund which is a student loan repayment program that awards recipients $5,000 per year for up to 3 years to help repay student loans in return for community volunteerism. Applications are typically accepted from early Spring to mid July for the next school year. Click here to learn more. Contact Jen Peters with your questions at scec@sunrisecounty.org or 207-255-0983.

JMG – Jobs for Maine Graduates: 200-1397

Pathway Navigation Services: Designed to support students at every step of their journey—whether they are transitioning to college, returning to school, building new career skills, or working toward an industry-recognized credential. Our team is here to help with career readiness, credentialing, financial assistance, and more. We provide guidance, encouragement, and updates on opportunities tailored to students’ goals, ensuring they stay informed and on track for success.

HOPE (Higher Opportunities for Pathways to Employment): This program welcomes income-eligible students pursuing college and training programs who are parents or specified relatives of a minor child.

PaS (Parents as Scholars): Supports students who are a parent or specified relative of a dependent child who is living with them while pursuing a 2 or 4-year degree

Maine Resource Center: This online resource center is made available to all students to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful. These resources include academic, career, financial, healthcare, housing, and various other supports, aiming to help Maine families pursue further education and fulfill their career goals.

For all of the above programs call: 200-1397 or email: jbassett@jmg.org or Jasmine.Bassett@maine.gov

Maine Coast Works:

Are you interested in a career along Maine’s coast? Learn about the coastal regions of Maine or browse opportunities by county. Maine Coast Works is a library of current resources and opportunities to Work, Learn and Grow Your Business. Email them at: info@mainecoastworks.org

Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC also known as TRIO): 1-800-281-3703

Assistance completing college admission and financial aid forms; Career counseling; Workshops

MaineStreet Business Building – Free Business Support & Advising: 255-0983

The Maine Street Business Building (MSBB) team provides – at no cost to you – business advising, career development resources, technical assistance, help with finding and winning federal contracts, technology advising, diversifying income streams, and more. We can also provide assistance with gap loans and micro-financing. Cllick here to fill out a form to connect with Peter Piconi, Business Resilience Advisor, at MaineStreet Business Building, who can help you take the first step.
19 Main Street, Machias

Migrant Education Program: 546-3006

Program for migrant children up to 22 yrs old, to ensure that all migrant students reach challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent. Tutoring, homework help, transportation to activities, after-school programs, and more

Narraguagus Adult Education: 483-2746

Free courses for students to finish earning their high school diploma
Email: narraguagus@gmail.com

National Farmworker Jobs Program: 951-0840

If you or a family member worked on a farm (blueberries, livestock, vegetables, aquaculture, etc.) within the last 2 years, you may be eligible for training assistance for various career paths in areas such as healthcare, commercial driving, and more. Contact Chris Huh at chuh@emdc.org to find out if you qualify for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP).

Passages Program (through Wayfinder Schools): 255-1468

Teen parents earn an accredited high school diploma from home while caring for their child. Passages is a free program offered in Washington County for pregnant or parenting youth ages 14-20 years old. Classes take place in your home, over the phone or internet. Students study a combination of academic, parenting and life skills. Lessons plans are designed around the student’s needs and interests.
For more information fill out the “Contact Us” form here or email: info@wayfinderschools.org

Student Loan Repayment Counseling: 621-3440

New Ventures Maine staff offer free Student Loan Repayment Counseling in addition to classes and coaching in financial education. Student Loan Repayment Counseling is for individuals who are struggling to repay student loans or:

have a loan that is past due or in default
need assistance choosing a repayment plan
want to learn about debt consolidation
have questions about loan forgiveness programs

Individuals can schedule a repayment counseling session in person, online via Zoom, or by phone. To request Student Loan Repayment Counseling, please complete this registration form which will provide our staff with information needed to assist you.

Sunrise Scholarship Fund: 255-0983

Provides scholarships up to $500 for low-income Washington County residents attending a training or certificate program that will increase their opportunities for immediate employment or job advancement.

TRiO Student Support Services (on the WCC Campus, Calais): 454-1000 or 1-800-210-6932

A program designed to support students through their college experience, to help ensure they stay in school and achieve their degree. To be eligible for the TRIO program a student must be income eligible, have a documented disability, or be first generation in their family to attend college. TRiO program services include: tutoring; academic advising; career counseling; financial literacy education; advice about transferring to a four-year college; cultural trips; college visits; seminars and workshops.

US Career Institute: 1-866-250-6851

Certificate programs and Degree Programs offered online. Course materials are relevant and career-focused, developed by industry experts. So you enjoy learning career skills quickly and more easily than you thought possible. Certificate and degree programs range from healthcare to business careers so you can choose the right career path for your life. Self-paced courses allow you to learn at home according to your schedule.(NOTE: Contact the Machias Career Center at 255-1933 if you are interested in any of these programs and they can help you find financial assistance and more.)

Washington County Adult and Community Education: 255-4917

Classes available to earn credits toward a high school diploma or preparing for college entrance exams. Also available: HiSET test center, ESL, Literacy education, Computer/Digital literacy.

Washington County Community College: 454-1000

Training and certificate programs

Washington County Education Services & Job Training Resource Guide: (printable)

Download this handy 4 page guide of programs and contact information available in Washington County. Compiled by the Washington County Educational Attainment Initiative.

Whole Family Coaching Program (Downeast Community Partners): 598-5648

Support for people who need help tackling an issue (filling out paperwork for school, applying for a job, needing a driver’s license, any kind of life issue). The Resource Advocate can come to your home and help you figure out a plan, fill out paperwork, or find resources that may be available to you. Free service, no age or income restrictions