Commercial driving, customer service training programs offered

LEWISTON — Professional truck driver training as well as customer service training are being offered free of charge to qualified candidates in the coming weeks.

Region 9 Professional Truck Driver Training, Regional School Unit 10 Adult Education, Western Maine Community Action and Maine CareerCenters are partnering to provide a Truck Driver with Work Readiness Training beginning in early July.
The training will provide students the opportunity to acquire either a Commercial Driver’s License A or B and will include a work readiness component to sharpen soft skills.
Students will also be introduced to several employer partners who are offering a wide variety of employment opportunities.
To be considered for the program, candidates must have a regular driver’s license in good standing, be a permanent resident or United States citizen, and have at least some experience driving a standard transmission.
In addition, students must pass a Department of Transportation physical, drug test and CASAS reading and math assessment, all of which are arranged through the training.
The 10-week class will be offered in Mexico and will run during the day Monday through Friday. There is no charge for the program for those individuals who financially qualify. Those interested should contact the Lewiston CareerCenter at 207-753-9045 or 207-753-9096 before June 3 to register for orientation.
Those interested in gaining a competitive edge with employers by improving their customer service skills may register at RSU 16 Adult Education (Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland) for the next seven-week full-time course, which begins Monday, June 24.
Those who would like to take the course should register online by June 7 at mechanicfalls.maineadulted.org or call 207-345-3217.
The course will include classroom training with paid work experience to eligible participants, and include two days of classroom training and three days of on the job training.
A variety of topics will be covered, including communication, conflict resolution, safety and security, time management and common employability skills.
Potential students must pass a CASAS reading and math assessment to be accepted into the program and have the ability to work in the United States. The course is offered in conjunction with the National Retail Federation and Retail Association of Maine.
The training program will result in nationally recognized industry certifications in retail fundamentals and customer sales and service from NRF, as well as certificates in Maine WorkReady and Digital Literacy.
There is no charge for the program for those individuals who financially qualify. Workforce Training Partner programs include RSU 16 Adult Education, Western Maine Community Action, Central Western Maine Workforce Development Board and Lewiston CareerCenter.
For more information on either program, visit wmca.org.

PHOTO: Planning the upcoming commercial drivining training course are Eddy Naples, Region 9 Professional Truck Driver Training; Nancy Allen, adult education and Patti Saarinen, WMCA. (Christine King photo)