UMPI, Northern Lighthouse Sign Area’s First Campus to Career Agreement

In an effort to better meet the region’s workforce development needs, officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and The Northern Lighthouse Inc. signed the area’s first local agreement meant to strengthen the collaborative efforts of both organizations in preparing students—or potential future employees—for careers in the workforce.

“We are so pleased to be signing this Campus to Career memorandum of understanding with The Northern Lighthouse Inc.,” UMPI President Ray Rice said. “This agreement not only allows our students to get vital career readiness training and hands-on work experience, but also has the added benefit of connecting our students with area employers and introducing them to great careers available right here. We commend The Northern Lighthouse Inc. for being the first to sign on to this effort and for serving as the catalyst for us to make this a bigger initiative on our campus.”

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to be entering into this agreement with UMPI,” Tiffany Faulkner, Northern Lighthouse CEO, said. “Through this collaboration, we are looking to give many students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their field of study through internship placements, with the hope of offering future employment. It is through this agreement that we hope to show graduates that they can achieve their career goals while remaining in Aroostook County, and help to curb out-migration.”

As part of the agreement, UMPI will provide a comprehensive career readiness program that utilizes both classroom and real world experiences in preparing students to be active members of the workforce. UMPI will also market employment opportunities and collaborate with The Northern Lighthouse Inc. to ensure that graduates demonstrate the skills and abilities necessary to be successful in the workplace.

In return, The Northern Lighthouse Inc. will work with faculty and staff to provide internships and other short experiential career experiences for students, serve as mentors or sponsors to students, assist with career readiness activities on and off campus, and provide job postings, promotional materials and marketing materials when needed. The University is actively working with other regional employers to put other Campus to Career agreements in place.

For more information about the Campus to Career Program, contact Nicole Fournier at (207) 768-9589 or nicole.l.fournier@maine.edu.

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