Education & Training
for Job Seekers
Find resources and opportunities for adult education, training, scholarships, and funding to help foreign-trained professionals restart their careers in the US.
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Education & Training
Do you need to learn English, explore a new profession, earn a degree, or simply want to improve skills you already have to align with the US job market? If you need help paying for your education, you can find scholarship and loan information here, as well.
English for Students of Other Languages
If you’re an adult and your native language is not English, these programs will help you improve your speaking, reading, and writing skills. ESOL classes also help students prepare for employment and continuing education.
High School Diplomas & Equivalency
Do you want to qualify for better career opportunities, earn higher pay, or prepare for college? Portland Adult Education will help you earn your High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (HiSET) certificate.
College Degrees
Do you have your High School Diploma or HiSET and thinking about going to college? Do you have a degree from another country, want to explore another field, or work toward a graduate degree? Get help to prepare for and find local colleges and universities to earn your degree.
Scholarships & Loans
Need help paying for college or other advanced degree? Several organizations in Maine offer resources to help you pay for the education you need.
English for Students of Other Languages
If you’re an adult and your native language is not English, these programs will help you improve your speaking, reading, and writing skills. ESOL classes also help students prepare for employment and continuing education.
Portland Adult Education
PAE currently teaches over 1,800 immigrants and refugees from over 60 countries around the world. Our ESOL program (English for Speakers of Other Languages) helps students improve their English reading, writing, grammar, and life skills. ESOL classes also help students prepare for employment and continuing education.
Portland Adult Education
14 Locust Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 874-8155
Email: adulted@portlandschools.org
ESOL Collaborative
The ESOL Collaborative is a collection of Portland’s ESOL providers who offer different opportunities to learn English.
Download How do I learn English PDF — a map on the PDF shows where and how you can learn English.
City of Portland’s ESOL Collaborative
Office of Economic Opportunity
389 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 874-8683
LearningWorks English Language + Literacy Program
The LearningWorks English Language + Literacy Program (EL+LP) provides immigrants and refugees the chance to thrive in their new country by offering free one-on-one tutoring and life-skills-based conversation classes. We serve adults from diverse backgrounds and experiences from all over the world.
LearningWorks
181 Brackett Street
Portland, ME 04102
Phone: (207) 775-0105
Email: info@LearningWorks.me
USM’s ESOL Program
University of Southern Maine’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program teaches students from around the globe the academic and professional English they need to reach their goals. Small classes and rigorous coursework prepare students to enter undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as exciting careers.
USM’s English for Speakers of Other Languages Program
101 Payson Smith Hall
96 Falmouth Street/P.O. Box 9300
Portland, ME 04102
Phone: (207) 780-4365
Email: usmesol@maine.edu
College Degrees & Licensing
The programs below offer opportunities to earn advanced degrees or become qualified for professional positions.
Portland Adult Education: College Transitions
Do you have your High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate (HiSET) and are thinking about going to college? Do you have a degree from another another country and want to explore another field, supplement your education with more college courses, or work toward a graduate degree? PAE’s College Transitions Program includes:
- Classes to improve essential academic skills
- Skills assessment and testing
- Academic and career advising
Portland Adult Education: College Transitions
14 Locust St.
Portland, ME 04101
Contact Anja Hanson
Phone: (207) 874-8155
Email: hansoa@portlandschools.org
Southern Maine Community College
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) is Maine’s largest, oldest and most diverse community college with nearly 6,000 students, over 40 degree programs, 2 campuses and 7 satellite locations.
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC)
2 Fort Road
South Portland, ME 04106
Phone: (207) 741-5500
Maine’s Community Colleges
Maine’s Community College System is made up of seven colleges around the state where someone can earn an associate’s degree, take courses online and in person, transfer credits from previous degrees and take short-term workforce training related to get a job.
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine (USM), a member of the University of Maine System, offers academic excellence that is affordable, meaningful, and responsive to the needs of our students and communities.
Through its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, USM faculty members educate future leaders in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering and technology, health and social services, education, business, law, and public service.
University of Southern Maine (USM)
96 Falmouth Street
Portland, ME 04103
Phone: (207) 780-5670
Email: admitusm@maine.edu
University of Maine System
The University of Maine system a member of the University of Maine System is made up of seven universities offering undergraduate and graduate degrees with campuses and sites around the state, including a law school, and online and distance learning programs.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a nonprofit university that offers online and in-person certificate courses and programs and degrees including: Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees. email or call 1-800-668-1249
To get more information, contact SNHU directly.
University of New England
Located on the coast of Maine, the University of New England (UNE) is an independent university committed to academic excellence. UNE is Maine’s largest private university — a welcoming community that provides the resources you need to make a positive impact in a world facing many challenges. Find your part in the health professions, the sciences, business, and the liberal arts.
University of New England (UNE)
716 Stevens Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
Phone: (207) 283-0171
Scholarships & Loans
The following scholarship programs are available to help finance your career goals.
Finance Authority of Maine
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) works to create quality jobs for Maine people. Learn more about how FAME can help you save for college, learn about financial aid and manage your student loans after you’ve graduated.
FAME works for Maine students and families, adult and returning students, military families and college students. FAME is a valuable resource for K-12 and higher education professionals — anyone who helps students access and pay for higher education.
We work for your future and the future of Maine.
Finance Authority of Maine
P.O. Box 949
5 Community Dr.
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 623-3263
Email: Education@FAMEmaine.com
Scholarships for Maine Immigrants
The mission of Scholarships for Maine Immigrants (SMI) , formerly Portland ESL Scholarship Fund, is to help local immigrants and refugees gain the English language and career skills necessary to achieve their educational and professional goals. Since 2000, SMI has awarded over 400 scholarships and $200,000 to fulfill this mission.
We recognize that for refugees and immigrants, the move to the US, and to Portland in particular, is life-altering on many levels. Their education is interrupted, careers are derailed, and credentials are not recognized. In addition, these newcomers must juggle learning a new language, family responsibilities, earning a living and acculturation, as well as trying to support family members remaining in their home countries.
Our scholarships help cover the cost of attending advanced English and job skills classes so recipients can achieve their educational goals, return to prior careers, or train for new ones.
Scholarships for Maine Immigrants
P.O. Box 281
Portland, ME 04112
Email: smi@smischolarships.org
Maine Community Foundation
The Maine Community Foundation offers Adult Learner Scholarships to non-traditional students to support a range of training including: 2- to 4-year college programs; certificate non-degree programs; or goal-focused, self-directed experiences. There are 2 types of awards:
- short-term credentials less than a full semester
- long-term scholarships for workforce training programs more than one semester long or 2- and 4-year degree programs
Maine Community Foundation
50 Monument Square, 6th Floor
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 761-2440
Email: info@mainecf.org
PROSPER Scholarship
The PROSPER Scholarship, offered by ProsperityME, awards full-tuition scholarships toward two-year associates degrees to asylum seekers who are not eligible for federal financial aid, are living in Maine, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher, plan to enroll in a Maine college or university, and demonstrate need.
ProsperityME
175 Lancaster St., Suite 216A
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 797-7890
Email: prosperityme@prosperityme.org
Healthcare Training for ME
The Healthcare Training for ME program is a statewide collaboration between schools, government agencies and health employers to provide easy access to healthcare training opportunities and financial resources to cover the costs of the training. Eligibility for training funds varies by program.
Healthcare Training for ME
Email: healthcaretrainingforme@maine.gov
Workforce Solutions Center
The Workforce Solutions Center is operated by Goodwill Northern New England and works with individuals seeking employment to match interests with jobs. They provide no-cost training, on-the-job training, counseling and support services for adults who are unemployed, underemployed or want to improve their job qualifications or find a new career.
Workforce Solutions Center
190 Lancaster St., Ste 200
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 775-5891 Call to set up an appointment with an intake coordinator.
Competitive Skills Scholarship Program
The Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP), offered through the Maine CareerCenters, provides funding and support for eligible Maine residents (including asylum seekers), at least 18 years old with a high-school diploma or equivalent, to pursue 2- and 4-year degree programs or employer-recognized credentials leading to a high-wage, in-demand job in Maine.
To learn more about the requirements of the CSSP Program, please view the CSSP Applicant Program Introduction (PDF).
Competitive Skills Scholarship Program
Greater Portland CareerCenter
151 Jetport Blvd.
Portland, ME 04102
Phone: (207) 623-7981
Email: portland.careercenter@maine.gov