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AUGUSTA — Workers who lost their jobs at the Jay paper mill after April’s explosion can get free training and classes at two local community colleges, officials from the mill and Maine Community College System have announced.
Mill owner Pixelle Specialty Solutions has created a $1million education fund for the workers that can be used at Central Maine Community College, in Auburn, and Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield.
Dan Belyea, chief workforce development officer at MCCS, said the program is “a powerful new model that will give these hard-working Mainers the ability to access retraining at no cost to them.”
The 177 displaced workers must select one of three pathways to pursue, and enroll no later than July 5. The options are:
* Associate degree (two-year programs) in more than 40 areas of study * Certificate (one-year programs) in more than 20 areas of study * Short-term workforce training (one-week to one-month programs) in specific fields related to health care, information technology or technical trades
The former Pixelle workers decide which college to attend. The cost of tuition, fees and materials will be covered by the Pixelle education fund. Pixelle has sent information about the program to the affected workers.
Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said the initiative is also a big boost for local businesses.
“Other companies within our region are struggling to find well-qualified employees,” LaFreniere said. “Offering free, local education and training is a game-changer for these workers and our community. It’s going to open up so many opportunities for them and for local business owners actively looking for skilled workers.”
MCCS is also working with the Maine Department of Labor and its Rapid Response Team to provide ongoing assistance to the dislocated workers. The Rapid Response Team has been working one-on-one with laid off workers, providing them with information and helping them identify next steps.
