AUBURN — Graduates of the Lewiston-Auburn Training, Distribution and Logistics Collaborative were honored recently in a ceremony held at Central Maine Community College.

The TDL initiative is an industry-focused program spearheaded by Coastal Enterprises Inc. in partnership with Central Maine Community College and Lewiston Adult Education. This coalition has undertaken a three-year initiative to develop training and employment opportunities in the TDL sector.

Funded by a federal JOLI grant focused on strengthening TDL in Lewiston-Auburn, the project recognizes the relationship between work force and economic development.

The curriculum, developed collaboratively by Lewiston Adult Education and Corporate and Community Services at CMCC, included direct input and contributions from several key employers that are members of the TDL sector and part of the larger collaborative.

Many of these key TDL businesses participated in an industry survey that was completed in 2009. The survey was designed to target key areas of need within the industry. Survey results were rolled out in December and an additional focus group was convened with invited TDL businesses in January 2010. This allowed the targeting of conclusive TDL workplace competencies.

The training consisted of 85 hours of TDL-focused classroom and hands-on training, including computer applications, team work, customer service, workplace wellness, ergonomics and workplace safety. The training provided participants with a broad training experience and prepared them for employment in one of the region’s growing sectors. Additionally, candidates selected to participate in this program have been required to satisfactorily demonstrate a current WorkReady credential, the basic soft skills that employers indicate are essential for the workplaces of the 21st century.