PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Ignite PI, in collaboration with SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, is pleased to announce the ongoing success of their workforce development partnership, bolstered by a $400,000 Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grant awarded by the Maine Department of Education. This initiative is designed to enhance hospitality training within the community, providing significant support to both local businesses and employees.
LeRae Kinney, CEO of Ignite PI, authored the grant that has been instrumental in this partnership. Under the capable leadership of Shara Page, current director of SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, the program has exceeded expectations and delivered substantial benefits to the region.
Since the program’s inception in October 2022, a total of 135 individuals have received comprehensive hospitality training, including 94 Ignite PI employees and 41 non-Ignite PI employees. These participants have engaged in 19 distinct training programs designed to elevate the skill set of hospitality workers across 15 different businesses in the area.
The impact of this grant is profound, having provided 4,686.5 hours of training to Ignite PI employees and 240 hours to non-Ignite PI employees, all at no cost to the participants or their employers. This initiative not only fosters professional growth but also strengthens the local economy by enhancing the quality of service within the hospitality sector.
“We are thrilled with the progress and positive outcomes of this partnership,” said LeRae Kinney. “The training programs have not only improved the capabilities of our employees at Ignite PI but have also contributed significantly to the broader community. This grant has allowed us to offer high-quality education and training free of charge, which is a tremendous asset.”
The grant, initially set to conclude in June, has been extended through June 2025, allowing for continued support and expansion of hospitality training programs. This extension underscores the program’s success and the ongoing need for skilled hospitality workers in the region.
Shara Page added, “The collaboration between Ignite PI and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education demonstrates the power of community partnerships in addressing workforce development needs. We are excited to continue this journey and look forward to training even more individuals in the coming year.”
For more information about the hospitality training programs and the partnership between Ignite PI and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, please contact:
LeRae Kinney, CEO, Ignite PI, at lkinney@ignitepi.com or 555-123-4567, Shara Page, director of Adult Education, SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, pages@sad1.org or 207-764-4776.
