By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — A crowd of over 350 gathered at the Loring Job Corps Center (LJCC) on Aug. 30 to celebrate the first ever National Job Corps Commencement Day. The LJCC historically holds commencement twice a year in June and December, but those dates are slated to change so that future classes at Loring will celebrate their formal graduation procession in conjunction with their peers in 125 other Job Corps Centers nationwide on National Job Corps Commencement Day.
Contributed photo
Local legislators Bernard Ayotte (R-Caswell) and Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou) presented a legislative sentiment in honor of National Job Corps Commencement Day on Aug. 30 to Pamela Buck, business and community liaison at the JLCC.
While Commencement Day served as an opportunity to highlight the local academic achievements of young men and women from all parts of the eastern United States, it also served as a reminder of the educational opportunity afforded to students often for free.
It doesn’t go far enough to state that LJCC students come from all walks of life: not only do students attend Loring from throughout the local communities and the state of Maine (about 25 percent of the student body consists of Maine-based students), young adults from the greater New England region and all the way to the Virgin Islands congregate at the center to receive an education, which LJCC officials agree is one reason why their center is particularly unique.
“One of the best things about the Loring Job Corps Center is the diversity that we have here,” LJCC Director Kristi Moir explained. “It’s good for our local students, it’s good for our staff and it’s good for our community.”
From ages 16 to 24, students arrive at the LJCC with all sorts of educational experiences, from needing their GED or HDS to having already earned degrees; Moir even explained that one student arrived at the center earlier this month who’s a college graduate.
“We have one student who has an associate’s degree, but she wants to be an EMT and the program is free to those who qualify,” Moir said. “I think in this economy, the Loring Job Corps Center is a perfect fit for students who are underprivileged financially and who qualify for the program.”
As Moir explained, about 10 percent of Loring students have received some sort of college education; last year, 43 graduates of the LJCC elected to continue their education by attending college. For graduates eager to dive into the workforce, LJCC also provides placement services to students for up to 21 months after graduation.
“If they want to switch jobs, choose to relocate or are laidoff, we can help with that,” Moir said. Nationally, about 86 percent of Job Corps graduates go on to find and keep jobs, pursue higher education or enlist in the military.
Medical office support student Jennifer Miclette, 23, of Caribou is among LJCC’s student body, and like her peers, she enrolled at the school in hopes of obtaining a better life and a brighter future.
“It’s a great place,” she said. “It’s free education and they prepare you for the real world.”
While students’ hard work at LJCC will truly be its own reward when it come to employability, Commencement Day served as a chance to honor those students who have and continue to strive for academic perfection.
“We had three of our college students speak at the ceremony that are going to Northern Maine Community College, so that really gives all students that connection that they can establish these goals and realistically be able to meet them,” Moir explained.
During the ceremony, top students of the LJCC were honored for their academic achievements in front of their fellow students, instructors — even local representatives Bernard Ayotte (R-Caswell) and Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou). Philip Bosse of Sen. Susan Collin’s Caribou office was also among audience members, and was afforded an opportunity to regale students with an encouraging and celebratory message written by Sen. Collins in honor of National Job Corps Commencement Day. Sen. Olympia Snow also sent a letter of congratulations and support, and Congressman Mike Michaud sent a Congressional Record from the Maine House of Representatives honoring National Job Crops Commencement Day.
