Pictured:  Greg Boyd, (at left) Alternative Manufacturing Inc., President and CEO; along with Linda Roberts (far right) a Career Center Consultant with the Maine Department of Labor at the Lewiston CareerCenter, congratulate On-the-Job Training Candidates David Bennett and Noah Spargo on their successful completion of the program. Photo courtesy of Monica Millhime.

Lewiston – Western Maine Community Action (WMCA), a partner with the Lewiston and Augusta CareerCenters, and Alternative Manufacturing Inc., (AMI) in Winthrop, recently formed a partnership to offer an On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program. 

“Aligning our training with assistance from our partners at the CareerCenter was extremely beneficial.”  shares Boyd.  AMI is appreciative of the support provided by the Maine Department of Labor for their assistance in helping us recruit and successfully bringing on additional staff to help us meet our growing customer demand.”

WMCA provides grant funding to qualified candidates to enter into a training program supported by various businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and more.  An on-the-job training is an incentive based program.  Training is provided by an employer to a paid employee engaged in productive work resulting in knowledge or skills essential to full and adequate performance of the job.  Partnerships are developed through a contract in the public, private non-profit or private sector.  Employers are reimbursed up to 50% of trainee’s wage during the program duration.  “Through the grant WMCA provides services to people in Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford and Somerset Counties,” shares Patti Saarinen, WMCA Program Site Coordinator in Lewiston.  “Many of our services are designed for low to moderate income people and dislocated workers.  Some services are available regardless of income.”  FMI visit http://www.mainecareercenter.com/ for the location of the nearest CareerCenter or call 753.9040, or email monica.millhime@maine.gov.