RUMFORD – The Rumford Area Rotary Club hosted guest speaker Norman MacIntyre at its regular weekly luncheon meeting at the Congregational Church in Mexico Aug. 4.

MacIntyre, the director of the River Valley Technology Center, spoke to the Rotarians when the center was in the planning and development stage. “Today,” he said, “we have results.” The signing ceremony with CCB of Westbrook for renovation of the former bag mill in Rumford was held in the afternoon following the Rotary club meeting.

MacIntyre described his work in development of the technology center as, “the most satisfying thing I ever did.” He described the River Valley Tool Certificate Program as collaboration among the RVTC, MMPA, Career Center and Central Maine Technical College. MacIntyre said, “We have a collaboration that works. The Career Center provides the applicant screening and assists those who are eligible with extraneous costs, such as supplies, childcare, travel and emergency living expenses on an as-needed basis. They also coordinate with Region 9 Technical Center, where students who require remedial math and English skills are enrolled in the continuing adult education program. CMTC provides the training location, instruction and curricula. All collaborative partners work to assist with job placement.”

The object of the program is workforce development and the development of job skills with a focus on displaced workers. Students are enrolled free of charge. The first nine students graduated in May. All participants found employment or are continuing their education. The state is now subsidizing the second year of education. The majority of the students are staying in school and completing a two-year degree. For most who are working, they have doubled their wage levels, with an average wage gain of $8.50. “We are changing people’s lives,” said MacIntyre with obvious pride. He described the funding process and the cost of the project; now $2,810,000.

A member of Rotary International, the Rumford club performs local service projects and raises funds for local and international charities and scholarships for local high school graduates. For more information about Rumford Area Rotary, contact club president, Jane Bubar, at 369-1143 or past president Eddie Paterson at 364-2595.