AUGUSTA — This year, thousands of Maine workers from more than 300 businesses will have the opportunity to be nominated for a Next Step Maine Employee of Promise scholarship.

To be eligible, employees must work for a business enrolled in Next Step Maine Employers’ Initiative and be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or associate degree or be enrolled in a certificate program.

There is no cost for businesses to join the Next Step Maine Employers’ Initiative and nominate their employees for scholarships at nextstepmaine.org. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $2,500.

The deadline for nominations is April 21, with scholarships presented in May 2017. Nomination forms can be submitted online at www.nextstepmaine.org/next-step-maine-scholarship.

In addition to providing scholarships to improve workforce education and skills, the Next Step Maine Employers’ Initiative offers Maine’s public and private employers technical assistance, resources and training opportunities for providing educational support services to employees.

The Next Step Maine Employee of Promise Scholarship Program is made possible by generous grant support from the Maine Community Foundation as well as support from Bangor Saving Bank, The Reny Charitable Foundation, Cianbro, Pratt & Whitney, and Saint Joseph’s College.

Additional support is by the Maine Chapter Association for Talent Development and the Maine Society for Human Resource Management.