LEWISTON – On Sept. 11, Lewiston Regional Technology Center, along with a variety of community and state partners, will host the first of several statewide forums focused on highlighting resources, along with the key role that vocational career training and support play in enhancing career opportunities for Maine’s youth. The forum will be held at the new LA Culinary Center at LRTC beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running until noon.

Build Community Networks will concentrate on keynoting resources important to the Lewiston/Auburn area economy, and help students find out about opportunities to access lucrative and progressive careers in the trades, technical occupations, as well as in a variety of manufacturing sectors.

Central Maine Community College’s Walter Ridlon will give his award-winning presentation on “gold collar” jobs that pay well, are local, yet lack candidates to fill them. There will be several small group breakout sessions, which will explore the types of preparation and training necessary to access these jobs.

Time will be spent on developing a portfolio of options that will help students, parents, career professionals and others learn how to access the next steps in advancing into the kinds of jobs that will continue to grow and expand in demand over the next 10 to 15 years.

Expected participants include key business and industry leaders in the Lewiston/Auburn area and Androscoggin County, youth services providers, educators, economic development organizations, legislators, faith and community based organizations, media people, area youth, as well as interested parents and others from the community.

For more information, contact Bryant Hoffman, executive director of the Central/Western Maine Workforce Investment Board, at 753-9011.