Business News

 'The Future of Business in Maine' - scheduled to be held in the Abromson Center at USM will announce new dates for this important series in the weeks ahead. We look forward to seeing you.

Work it UP in collaboration with Professional and Continuing Education at the University of Southern Maine, will host its first public conversation in our series on "The Future of Business in Maine".

The focus of the event will be a conversation among a distinguished panel of collaborators serving in business, academia, public policy and technology.

Our first topic will be:

How to Help Maine Business Grow by Investing in People?

The presentation will be to  raise awareness within the Greater Portland community about the important work of the organization to link professionals, recent college graduates and businesses in collaborative projects that help local companies grow and create jobs.

If you would like to sponsor Work it UP, its on-going series of public conversations about The Future of Business in Maine, or make a tax-deductible donation to establish the Work it UP Professional Advancement Center, please contact us at information@workitup.org or make an online donation.

Member News

Certificate Program in Business Growth

As 2013 begins, plans for the establishment of the Work it Up Professional Advancement Center are getting under way and it represents a unique opportunity for our members.

The new Professional Advancement Center (PAC) will be used to train registered member professional Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and recent college graduates in the skills needed by today's businesses according to a survey of C- level Information Technology executives. The survey cited three gaps in the training and preparedness of employee and intern candidates:

  1. The ability to transfer theoretical knowledge into practical application.
  2. A capacity to combine technological skills with business practices.
  3. Understanding of the skills and thought processes associated with Project Management.

As a result of the survey and our own experience serving client companies over the past four years, Work it UP has identified a program model for customized professional development training that meets these clear and demonstrated educational needs. Our intergenerational mentorship allows our members to develop specific, high-value skills while gaining meaningful experience in our volunteer projects applying these skills.

Funding to develop the Work it UP Business training program for entrepreneurs has been provided by the Project Management Institute Education Foundation in support of the Work it UP Professional Advancement Center.

The first presentation of the training, organized in collaboration with USM's Professional and Continuing Education Certificate Program, is an offering of three courses to be delivered on the Portland campus this spring for business-owners, entrepreneurs and business students alike.

The USM/ PCE - Work it UP Business Growth Certificate will give students the training and tools they will need to assess, plan and implement business growth and change management in the companies they are associated with in an effort to help pave the way for job creation opportunities in Maine.

To learn more about the Work it UP Business Growth Certificate Program of courses at USM, Portland, beginning March 14th, follow the link below and register for your business growth certificate today: Certificate Program in Business Growth

Are you a professional or a recent college graduate seeking professional development training? Would you be willing to donate your skills as a volunteer to help a small business or nonprofit organization in exchange for free courses? If so, please submit your resume to Work it UP and we will schedule an appointment to meet with you to talk about membership opportunities.