Plan bridges gap between education, industry

DOVER-FOXCROFT – A few years ago, local businesses were lamenting that some high school students couldn’t make change.

That prompted meetings between school officials and business representatives to rectify what some believed were shortcomings of high school students. That collaboration led to some curriculum changes.

Today, the Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce has taken that effort one step further with its Penquis Building Bridges program.

“I think it opens up a link between the business community and the education community,” Dennis Lyford, executive director of the Chamber, said Wednesday.

In the building bridges program, which was patterned after the Bangor Chamber’s program, a team of educators makes on-site visits at businesses and industries to determine what needs are required for local jobs.

The purpose of the program is to recognize the importance of education to a strong business community and improve communication between business leaders and educators. The ultimate goal is to help better prepare students to enter the workplace. Already, teachers from Piscataquis Community High School, Foxcroft Academy and Dexter Regional High School have made four on-site visits this fall.

These visits were to Guilford of Maine in Guilford, Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, Moosehead Manufacturing Co. of Dover-Foxcroft and Monson, and Tillson True Value in Dexter.

During each visit, Lyford said the educators are briefed about the company, its labor force and hiring practices, and then meet with employees.

This acquaints the educators with the business world, he said. The teachers then return to their respective schools and assess the curriculum and address the work force development issues.

“I think we realize the importance of teamwork and the importance of people skills,” Lyford said.

Educators who have participated found that business and industry are looking for quality team players, individuals who are willing to be leaders, follow instructions and be receptive to cross-training.

Despite the public’s perception that there are no good jobs in Piscataquis County, Lyford said the exact opposite is true. He said Mayo Regional Hospital officials noted that there are some high-paying skilled jobs for residents in the medical field.