HOULTON — On Monday, March 28, five graduates celebrated the completion of their WorkReadytraining. The participants attended all 60 hours, showing their strong commitment to their training.
WORKREADY GRADS — Five students graduated from the WorkReady training course sponsored by the SAD 29/70 Adult Education program. Graduates include, from left, Sylvain Lebel, Joyce Folsom, Nicole Kiewra, Jack Doughty and Katie Rogers.
WorkReady, a state-approved program with high entrance and completion standards, is a rigorous and comprehensive training specifically designed to address the “soft skills” necessary to be successful in the workplace. The program is offered at no charge to the student through the local Adult Education program and the Local Workforce Investment Boards of the state of Maine.
The WorkReady credential addresses seven competencies identified as critical to success in the workplace. The standards include personal motivations and challenges to employment, developing a plan for employment, communicating effectively, working with other people, principles of getting a job, wages, benefits, taxes, and employee organizations, and work-related safety information.
This class was strongly supported by various community agencies and many local businesses including, ACAP Employment & Training, Adult Education, Community Living Association, FA Peabody Company, Houlton Higher Education Center, Houlton Regional Hospital and Center for Community Health Education, Katahdin Trust Company, Katahdin Valley Health Center, Local Workforce Investment Board, Machias Savings Bank, Maine Center for Women, Work & Community, Maine DHHS, Maine Department of Labor Career Center and Safety Works, Northern Maine Development Commission, Paradis Shop n Save, Region Two Vocational, SW Collins, Tim Hortens, Town of Houlton, Wal-Mart and Varney Agency.
The local WorkReady facilitators, Dave Rowe and Tracy Rockwell, expect great things from this class as they obtain employment and, in some cases, further their education. The participants earned a WorkReady credential that validates their training in the standards that are universally recognized as important to being a valuable and successful employee. Many local employers have already agreed to recognize the credential when considering the graduates for potential hiring when an opportunity arises. For information regarding the WorkReady training, please contact Otis Smith, David Rowe, or Tracy Rockwell at 521-3100.
