AUGUSTA, Maine — MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta is helping new Mainers get acclimated to the English language and workforce with a newly adopted multilingual learner program.
Students take a ten-week language class, learning English through a medical-specific lens. In addition to taking classes a few days a week, students also work shifts in entry-level positions at the hospital.
“They are all looking for employment, they want to work, they want to be part of the community, they want to give back," Dr. Kayla Sikora, the director of Augusta Adult and Community Education, said.
Sikora spearheaded the program that has turned into a collaborative effort with the Maine Department of Education and MaineGeneral Health, the largest employer in Kennebec County.
“So it made perfect sense just to partner with [the hospital]," Sikora added. “We need to offer multiple pathways for individual community members to be successful in life.”
The partnership is part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan's "Strengthening Maine's Adult Workforce initiative," funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Stas Andriichuk went through the program when it rolled out in January. He settled in Augusta after moving to Maine from his home country of Ukraine. He now works with the hospital's food and nutrition services department but is hoping to move into a different position at the hospital.
He said he studied at a medical university in Ukraine and worked in the pharmaceutical industry there, and would like to pursue a similar career in Maine, or potentially train to be a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Stas said the class began by learning "simple" hospital terminology like hairnet, and trays, and then advanced into understanding hospital rules and HIPAA guidelines. He noted his English has improved since taking the classes and said it was a great opportunity to learn more about American culture and how medical facilities operate in Maine.
Each student is paired with a mentor when they work shifts in the hospital. Some of them work in the housekeeping department under James Burdick who is the manager.
“And this program is removing the one roadblock that is keeping them from meaningful employment in the Kennebec region, which is the language barrier," Burdick explained.
Burdick said the program is already paying dividends and the students have done a great job in their positions and have exceeded expectations.
“I don’t see them staying in our department for much more than a year maybe and then they’re going to grow and be the next nurse, doctor, whatever they put their mind to because that’s what Maine General is about, growth and success," Burdick added.
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Whether it's new Mainers looking for employment, or lifelong Mainers looking for a new career, the state has a shortage in a lot of industries including the healthcare sector.
Karen Morin is the Career Advancement Navigator for the DOE in Kennebec County. She helps Mainers find employment and assists businesses looking for employees. She also focuses on helping new Mainers find meaningful employment.
All the students in this multilingual learner program are either lawful permanent residents or hold valid employment authorization documents. Morin said she works with applicants to learn what work they did in their home countries and if they want to pursue something similar in Maine. She also focuses on helping businesses and industries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One was a CNA In Angola, and one was a Lab Tech in Angola and they were very anxious to get back into the health care field," Morin said about the current cohort of students. “It’s so great to see people succeed and be part of the community and it’s amazing to see them go from non-speakers to being able to communicate within months.”
Morin hopes this collaborative effort continues because it has proven that when organizations pool resources together, they can help Mainers find employment and help alleviate workforce shortages in Maine's healthcare industry.
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The partnership is a win-win, according to MaineGeneral's Director of Employee Engagement Jennie Savage, who said the program allows the students to earn money while learning English, American culture, and the safety protocols and rules at the hospital.
“There’s a lot to learn here, there’s a lot to learn here if you’re from here," she added. “We have a culture of inclusiveness and diversity and this is just one way we do that and add to our diverse work culture".
Augusta Adult and Community Education holds dozens of earn-to-learn programs around the region and you can find more information here.
The Maine Department of Education has a Multilingual Learner dashboard with more resources and programs, you can find that information here.