AUGUSTA, Maine — Since the start of the COVID pandemic, more than 16,000 jobs have been added here in Maine.
Even with jobs being added to Maine's economy, there are still more than 20,000 Mainers without work, and as of Monday without unemployment benefits as the federal funding ran out.
Many of the people looking for jobs are people in need of childcare, older Mainers, or people with disabilities.
Now, the Maine Department of Labor is working with employers to help Mainers with disabilities find jobs through the department's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation program.
"As the economy continues to improve, the Maine Department of Labor is focused on connecting employers with the jobseekers they need to thrive, including those who have often been left on the sidelines,” Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said in a press release.
"Even after these programs go away, people still have those barriers to work that they're trying to work through we're working with people everyday who are trying to get through those barriers who are trying to connect to work," Maine Department of Labor spokesperson Jessica Picard told NEWS CENTER Maine.
Picard added that the MDOL has seen people gradually go back to work over the last few months.
According to the MDOL, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helped more than nine thousand people find jobs last year.
Businesses interested in partnering with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to create new employment opportunities are encouraged to call 1-855-ALL-HIRE.