Valentino supports new precision machining technology program at York County Community College

Senator Linda Valentino, the chair of the Joint Select Committee on Maine's Workforce and Economic Future, attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly established Precision Machining Technology Program at York County Community College. The program was supported by LD 90, the Workforce Committee's signature legislation which aimed to help close the skills gap and grow Maine's economy.

"This is a shining example of what happens when higher ed, government and the private sector work together to solve problems," said Senator Valentino of Saco. "Today we are one step closer toward providing workers the skills they need to get good jobs, and one step closer toward helping businesses acquire the skilled labor they need to grow and succeed."

Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a first-of-its-kind workforce law that, among other things, provides $1.1 million over the next two years to the Community College system to establish or expand fourteen degree programs in high-skilled, high wage occupations. This funding has enabled YCCC to double its capacity in the machining program at YCCC to help train workers to build jet engines at Pratt & Whitney, a North Berwick manufacturing facility, where workers build fighter jet engines for the
U.S. military.

The Workforce Committee met earlier this week to set its agenda for the next session, including work readiness, business growth and entrepreneurship in Maine. The committee reconvenes on October 1.

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