WATERVILLE — Six local students graduated as certified nursing assistants at a ceremony held at Thomas College on Jan. 18.

Patty Shuck, RN, director of nursing at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, welcomed administrators, staff, residents, family, friends, teachers and community partners to the pinning ceremony and presentation of certificates.

Commencement remarks were shared by instructors Chris Miller and Desiree Knowles; administrators Megan Stiles and Shannon Lockwood; Western Maine Community Action and CareerCenter employment and training business specialist Monica Millhime; Waterville Adult Education Director Hannah Bard; and professional development instructor Kathleen Lewia.

Students successfully completed a collaborative program of Work Ready provided by Waterville Adult Education and an On-the-Job Training Program (OJT) through grant funding provided by Augusta and Lewiston CareerCenters and WMAC.

OJT is an incentive-based program, providing 50 percent of a trainee’s wages during the duration of the program. The curriculum empowers students with the skills and knowledge essential to the specific job field.

Maine citizens who are unemployed or underemployed may qualify for a Work Ready training offered through the Augusta and Skowhegan CareerCenters in partnership with Lakewood, Waterville Adult Education and WMAC. Work Ready offers a customized, paid, on-the-job training upon successful completion leading to employment as a CNA for evening, weekends and every other weekend, as well as some holidays shifts.

FMI, register: midmaine.maineadulted.org, 207-873-5754, monica.millhime@maine.gov.

Local students graduated as certified nursing assistants as part of the On the Job Training Program. Pictured are, from left, front row, Kathleen Lewia, development instructor; Chris Miller, RN, classroom instructor; Shannon Lockwood, administrator; Desiree Knowles, RN, clinical instructor; Megan Stiles, administrator; and Tami Thibodeau; and, second row, students, Chelsea George, Courtney Fraser and Alexandria Hansen; Patty Shuck, RN, director of nursing; Zachary Fontana-Howe; Darren Gilbert; and Gloria Weeks.