LEWISTON — A group of students graduated from the WorkReady/Construction training program on May 14. The event was hosted at Community Concepts and is offered through the collaboration of Lewiston Adult Education, Western Maine Community Action (WMCA), Lewiston CareerCenter, John T. Gorman Foundation, Community Concepts, City of Lewiston and Take 2. 

Area contractors joined the partnership providing hands-on construction site work experiences. 

“The program uses integrated education and training model, which features class time on construction skills training and communications, as well as 24 hours of job site work each week with the local contractors,” shares Jennifer Tiner, assistant director at Lewiston Adult Education. 

The 12-week, 160-hour program initiative is designed to provide the training and skills necessary for entry-level career paths in construction. The training curriculum included basic construction math and terminology, familiarity with hand and power tools, and workplace safety. Candidates earned certifications for WorkReady, OSHA 10, scissor lift training and lead abatement (RRP).

“These graduates represent dedication and are the result of a best practice model for train-to-work. Such a model brings business, education and workforce development agencies in collaboration to provide training for a high wage, high growth career path,” shared Patti Saarinen, WMCA CareerCenter site coordinator. 

For more information on work-driven educational opportunities and partnerships, contact the nearest CareerCenter or call 207-753-9040 or Lewiston Adult Education, 207-795-4141.

Community Partners of the Lewiston Construction Training Program, along with Construction Business  Partners, celebrated with graduates of the third Construction Cohort on May 14.  Student/candidates pictured, front row from left, are Trenton Bellavance, Afonso Augusto, Alexander Clark and Moustapha Mahamoud.  Back row from left are John Ferland, Hahnel Bros.; Alan Hahnel, Hahnel Bros.; Zachariah Haines, Andrew Brown, Oral Bennett, Lukau Sergio, David Cushman, HE Callahan; and Michael Pleau, Northeast Painting and Coatings, Inc.