Registration open for Aroostook Partnership for Progress ‘Education to Industry’ Summit II

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Registration is now open for the upcoming Aroostook Partnership for Progress “Education to Industry” Summit II.
The summit, which is a follow-up to a similar event held last summer, is set for Thursday, Aug. 7 from 8 a.m.-noon at the University of Maine at Presque Isle Campus Center.
The first summit brought awareness about the growing need for skilled workers in Aroostook, especially in the 18- to 44-year-old demographic, and the second summit, according to APP President Bob Dorsey, will highlight best practices and expand on needs for County students to gain a better understanding of job awareness.
The summit is part of a larger APP “Education to Industry” initiative, which looks to promote more job shadowing and/or internships to show middle, high school and college students there are good jobs available in the region as long as job seekers strive to have the necessary training and skillset.
“Last year we set the stage — here’s the sense of urgency, this year the theme will be more of a call to action,” said Dorsey. “We want to show positive examples of programs in different schools which introduce students to business and industry in Aroostook County.”
Dorsey added that attendance by business people at last year’s summit was very good. This year he said a greater push will be made to attract more teachers, school officials and school board members.
Also at the summit, Dorsey indicated he would like to talk about the successes in the past year. Those include an increase in internship opportunities in Aroostook County, growing the Junior Achievement program in the region and momentum gained in the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative.
Electronic registration for the free event is available at, http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ziygt7jab&oeidk=a07e9i9xl5bd2d79555.