KVCC, paper industry partner to tackle looming worker shortage

Within 10 years, roughly 40 percent of Maine's 7,300 paper workers will be over 60 years old. To make sure the industry has enough skilled workers as those individuals reach retirement age, three of Maine's paper companies have partnered with KVCC to offer free tuition and textbooks to 30 students enrolled in an introductory on-line course in pulp and paper-making technology. The course forms the foundation for the nine courses offered in the college's pulp and paper degree program, the only one of its kind in the Northeast. The companies involved in the project include the UPM mill in Madison, SAPPI Fine Paper in Skowhegan, and Verso Paper's Androscoggin Mill in Jay. For more info...

"From inception to execution CMCC partnered with us to produce a team-building event that was not only high energy and fun, but accomplished specific learning objectives. We were very impressed with the thorough planning, thought, flexibility and level of detail that we experienced. Our expectations were pleasantly exceeded." 

 

John Manganello, Employee Development Specialist III, General Dymanics - BIW,

on the customized team building module created for the company by

CMCC's Corporate and Community Services division. 

A new teaching tool arrives at NMCC 

A wind turbine that made its way to NMCC from Germany (by way of Denmark and Nova Scotia) is one of the largest teaching tools ever acquired by the college and will provide significant learning opportunities for students in its wind power technology program. "Our wind power program is already a leader in New England, and this equipment will further advance the program and, most importantly, the knowledge and skills of our students," said NMCC President Tim Crowley.

Photo: NMCC wind power technology students (l to r) Shawn Bryant, Bryce Keenan, and Daniel Fuller look over the hub assembly for the Vesta V25 turbine. 

EMCC and area hospitals provide advanced training to CNAs

Fourteen certified nursing assistants recently upgraded their skills through EMCC's new Experienced CNA program. Developed in partnership with Mount Desert Island hospital, the program is one of the first in the country and was funded by a Federal Health Care Sector Grant. The need for CNAs with higher skill levels is particularly acute in rural areas, and a number of rural Maine hospitals contributed staff, facilities, and students to help launch the program. Participants received over 100 hours of training and class time over a 12-month period.

Doctor by day, precision machining student by night

 
Mike Parker, a urologist at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, has been taking precision machine technology classes at CMCC in Auburn for two years.  His goal: to build a 2-foot tall steam train, constructed from parts he will machine himself.
 
"I've had a practice for 30 years and performed thousands of operations," Parker told the Lewiston Sun Journal. "But I wanted to build something - sort of my life's work....People try and learn machining over the Internet, but they end up doing things and asking questions that are pretty basic. These are things you learn the first day in class. So I don't know why more people don't do that and take classes at the local community college."
 
Read more about Mike Parker's train journey here. 

Richard Hopper, a higher education specialist with the World Bank, has been named KVCC's next president. A Fulbright scholar and resident of Westport Island, Dr. Hopper received a Doctor of Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. He will assume his new post on April 22, 2013, succeeding Barbara Woodlee who will retire in April after 30 years as KVCC's president. Dr. Woodlee will continue to serve as part-time Academic Officer for the system.