HOULTON, Maine — A new program is available for Houlton High School Alumni looking to obtain or upgrade their skills for a job or needing tools for their chosen profession.
The Houlton High School Alumni Association has established “The Training and Tools Grants Program.” The program is open to Houlton High alumni living and working in the southern Aroostook area. Applications for grants are now being accepted. Information is available on the Alumni Association web site at www.houltonalumni.com.
“We see this as an excellent complement to the traditional scholarships that we present each year,” said Nancy Ketch, the Alumni Association president. “It allows us to assist so many more of our alumni and we are excited to offer this opportunity.”
The initial funding for the program is provided by the Alumni Association in addition to a grant from the Aaron A. and Maria H. Putnam Family Trust. “The Putnam Trust has been very generous to the Alumni Association’s efforts in the past and we appreciate their support of this new program,” Ketch added.
The Training and Tools Grants Program is designed to provide financial help to individuals seeking to acquire or upgrade their skills for their job or to obtain a new position. Grants can also be used for tools to advance a person’s chosen vocation. A grant can cover up to 90% of the cost of tuition/fees or tools. Applicants may be of any age and must meet all requirements for their desired training program. They also must be Houlton High School alumni living or working in the area.
Applications are accepted at any time throughout the year, but should be submitted at least eight weeks in advance of the start date of the training program. The form can be completed and submitted electronically on the Alumni Association web site. A scanned copy can be E-mailed to AlumniTandTGrants@gmail.com or a paper copy mailed to P.O. Box 990, Houlton. The application is only one page and applicants will be interviewed.
The Training and Tools Grant Committee is made up of alumni working in a variety of fields in the area. Lisa Perfitt is the committee’s chairperson. Perfitt, who is the HR Manager at Houlton Regional Hospital, said, “I see great potential for this program in the area. It will help employees increase their skills which will make them more of an asset to their employers.”
To monitor the success of the program, the committee plans to follow up with recipients on an annual basis.
In addition to the website, those wanting more information may contact Ketch at 207-521-7250, Perfitt at 207-521-2287 or send an e-mail to AlumniTandTGrants@gmail.com.
