LEWISTON — Tree Street Youth Center hosted a graduation ceremony recently for two local students who successfully completed a construction training WorkReady and Work Experience program.

Emmanuel Musanganya and Christ Nilouzololo participated in the second Lewiston Construction Training Project, completing a 12-week program consisting of 160 hours of classroom time and a work experience with local contractors.

The program was designed through the collaboration of local and regional agencies of Lewiston Adult Education, Western Maine Community Action (WMCA), Lewiston CareerCenter, John T. Gorman Foundation, City of Lewiston, Tree Street, Root Cellar and the Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services. Area contractors, H. E. Callahan, Hahnel Bros., Hebert, Northeast Painting and Fortin joined the partnership, providing hands-on construction site work experiences.

The program initiative was designed to provide training and skills necessary for entry-level career paths in construction. Training included safety, an introduction to power and hand tools, construction math and terminology, along with work readiness skills.

Candidates earned WorkReady, OSHA 10, Lead, Scissor Lift Training, and Renovation, Repair, Painting (RRP) certifications.

“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,” said Patti Saarinen, WMCA-Lewiston CareerCenter site coordinator.

FMI on work-driven educational opportunities and partnerships, contact the nearest CareerCenter or call 207-753-9040.

Members of the Lewiston Construction Training Program celebrated with graduates of the second cohort. Front row, from left: Misty Parker, City of Lewiston; construction student graduates Emmanuel Musanganya and Christ Nikouzololo; Patti Saarinen, WMCA; back row: Michael Pleau, Northeast Painting; Monica Millhime, WMCA; Tim Hebert, Hebert Construction; John Ferland, Hahnel Bros.; Brian Demshar, H. E. Callahan Construction; and Sara Gagne-Homes, Gorham Foundation. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Tiner, Lewiston Adult Education.