Home | About Maine MEP | Upcoming Events | Success Stories | Partners & Resources | News Releases | Board of Directors Contact Us | Enterprise Management | Performance Based Training | Supply Chain Management | Innovation Services Click here for a printer-friendly version FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2007 For more information please contact: Muriel Mosher Tel: 207-623-0680 MEDIA ADVISORY MAINE MEP CELEBRATES M.O.S.T. TRAINING GRADUATION AT GENERAL DYNAMICS Trainees Placed in Skilled Manufacturing Positions at the Company Following Graduation on Friday, October 12 Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maine MEP), in conjunction with the Saco CareerCenter, announces the recent graduates of the M.O.S.T. (Machine Operator Skills Training) program from General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products’ Saco Operations, a leading manufacturer and provider of aircraft gun systems, crew-served weapon systems and gun barrels to the men and women of our armed forced in Iraq. M.O.S.T. is a U.S. Department of Labor pilot program launched in the six New England states. Maine MEP facilitated the two-week long training, with the primary goal of addressing the critical need of local manufacturers to fill a rapidly increasing number of vacant computerized numerical-control (CNC) machine operator positions. M.O.S.T. uses a mobile training unit, equipped with computer terminals and interactive machines, at each company. After completion of the initial two-week training, trainees are interviewed by General Dynamics and enter a 60-day on-the-job training program. Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor, Laura Fortman, will be a featured guest at the graduation. Fortman has been instrumental in addressing the shortage of skilled workers in Maine through workforce policies that are helping more adult workers access education and training. Eleven trainees will graduate from the M.O.S.T. program at General Dynamics on Friday, October 12. WHO: M.O.S.T. Program Graduates Laura Fortman, Commissioner, Maine Department of Labor Garret Oswald, Director, Maine Jobs Council Richard Fifield, Director, Saco CareerCenter Elaine Palmitessa, Business Assistance Representative, Saco CareerCenter Gary LaPerriere, Director of Operations, GDATP Saco Jerry Devlin, Sr. Human Resources Manager, GDATP Saco William Sanborn, Manager of Manufacturing Operations, GDATP Saco Charles Bates, Manager of Staff Development, GDATP Saco Janet Basile, Sr. Human Resources Specialist Representative from the Department of Economic and Community Development Muriel Mosher, Vice President for Government Relations, Maine MEP Bob Doiron, Maine MEP, Maine Innovation Program Project Manager, Maine MEP   WHAT: Graduation from M.O.S.T. program   WHEN: Friday, October 12 11:15 a.m. Team Room   WHERE: General Dynamics 291 North Street Saco, Maine Front row left to right: Paul Mooney, Kent Nguyen, Brenda Prue, David Roy Back row left to right: Kevin Worden, Evan Amadon, Todd Piepezyk, Don Vaznis, Mark Roy, Ryan McGrath, Les Kaplan  -END-  ####