Displaced Jay mill workers offered free education at two community colleges
Courtesy / Verso Corp.
Workers displaced by the April explosion at the paper mill in Jay can take advantage of free courses at Kennebec Valley Community College and Central Maine Community College.
Workers from the Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill in Jay who lost their jobs because of April's explosion are eligible for free training and classes at two of the state's community colleges.
A $1 million fund for Maine Community College System, created by the mill's owner in December, will provide free tuition and fees for the workers at both Kennebec Valley Community College, which has two campuses in Fairfield, and Central Maine Community College, in Auburn.
Dan Belyea, chief workforce development officer at MCCS, said in a news release the program is "a powerful new model that will give these hard-working Mainers the ability to access retraining at no cost to them."
A paper digester explosion April 15 at the mill put 177 of the mill's 427 employees out of work. PIxelle said in December it would continue to make paper at the mill, but wouldn't replace the digester. The mill now employees about 250.
“These newly displaced workers from the Pixelle Mill in Jay are our neighbors,” KVCC President, Richard Hopper said in the release. “KVCC has the capacity to help them get the training and skills they need to reenter the workforce in the fields of their choice.” Many workers from that area found jobs at the Jay mill in Franklin County after the Madison Paper Industries mill in Madison closed in 2016.
The former mill workers can choose from three educational pathways and must enroll no later than July 5.
Available options at the colleges are:
- Two-year associate degree in more than 40 areas of study (including allied health and nursing, business, early childhood education, trades and technology);
- One-year certificate program in more than 20 areas of study;
- Short-term workforce training (1-week to 1-month programs) in specific fields related to health care, information technology or technical trades.
The former Pixelle workers may decide which college to attend and which program to study based on their career goals and academic interests, with tuition, fees and materials covered by the Pixelle Education Fund. Information regarding the education fund program was sent to the affected workers by Pixelle in December.
Hopper said he strongly encourages the eligible workers to contact KVCC "to discuss options, set out a plan and get started."
“KVCC will have a dedicated advisor to ensure that all Pixelle participants get the consistent support they need as they undertake this important next step," he said.
The programs also mean employers in the Auburn, Jay and Fairfield areas will have more potential workers trained in needed professions or skills to choose from, those involved with the program said.
"Other companies within our region are struggling to find well-qualified employees," said Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere. "Offering free local education and training is a game-changer for these workers and our community. It's going to open up so many opportunities for them and for local business owners actively looking for skilled workers."
The community college system is also working with the Maine Department of Labor and its Rapid Response Team to provide assistance to the dislocated workers. The Rapid Response Team has been working one-on-one with laid off workers, providing them with information and helping them identify next steps, according to the release.
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