LEWISTON – Six students recently graduated a customized professional welding program, which aims to fill a gap for local employers, organized by Western Maine Community Action, Oxford Hills/Nexinscot Adult Education and Bancroft Contracting Corp.
Greg Aptt, Fern Cohort, Donald Ingerson, Toma Bakoula, Morgan Gammon and Nick Reavis on on Oct. 17 completed the 92-hour curse, which includes 72 hours of hands-on welding instruction, safety training ,20 hours of math for welder, and job-readiness skills training.
The nonprofits and Bancroft, in South Paris, partnered to provide what was the second cohort for the program. It offered students welding processes used by Bancroft and other area employers.
“Low unemployment, combined with an aging workforce, create employment gaps that require different approaches to fill needs,” said Patti Saarinen, WMCA program coordinator — Central/Western Maine CareerCenters. “Combining private industry, education and job training is an efficient and resourceful way to meet the challenges.”
For more information on programs available for training and partnerships cann 207-753-9001 or visit www.facebook.com/WesternMaineCommunityAction /or wmca.org./
PHOTO: Bancroft Contracting Corp., Workforce Training Partners Western Maine Community Action and Oxford Hills/Nezinscot Adult Education hosted a graduation at the Bancroft facility in South Paris for graduates of the Customized Welding Training Program on Oct. 17. Pictured, from left, are Kyle Lamb, Bancroft project manager; Fred Locke, Bancroft welding instructor; Monica Millhime, WMCA regional employer assistant point; Toma Bakoula, welding candidate; Cathy Stairs, WMCA employment and training specialist; Donald Ingerson, Fern Dulac, Morgan Gammon, Nick Reavis, welding candidates; Joseph Costello, Bancroft vice president/HR and Tina Christopherson, OH/NAE director. (Heidi Durgin photo)
