JAY — Verso Paper Corp.’s Androscoggin Mill is partnering with Jay and Livermore Falls high schools and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) to help qualifying students receive a college education and a job after graduation.

The mill is rolling out the new program with a hope of awarding 10 full-tuition scholarships a year to KVCC to qualifying high school seniors from Jay and Livermore Falls high schools who have an interest in receiving their associate degree in pulp and paper technology.

Verso will also provide up to $500 more a year for books and other school-related expenses. In addition, the mill will offer employment during and after the degree is earned.

“Studies have shown that students graduating with an associates degree in pulp and paper technology were better prepared for the manufacturing environment and had an immediate impact on safety, operating efficiency and bottom line results. We are lagging behind our overseas competition in this strategic initiative and we need to scramble to further educate our current workforce and grow our future workforce in order to remain an economic driver in the state of Maine,” said Androscoggin Mill Human Resources Manager Mike Luciano.

Scholarship recipients will be offered full-time summer employment following their high school graduation and between collegiate school years.

Upon completion of students’ degrees, Verso will offer them full-time employment with the company, once a position becomes available. Scholarship recipients must agree to work as a full-time Verso employee for at least three years after they complete their degree.

The Androscoggin Mill is in the process of trying to expand the scholarship opportunity to other area high schools.

Verso Paper Corp. also offers two $1,000 scholarships each year to students who live within a 50-mile radius of the Androscoggin Mill or who are children of a Verso employee. The students must be pursuing a degree in chemical, mechanical or electrical engineering, or pulp and paper science from an accredited college.

Both applications are due back to the Androscoggin Mill April 4.

For more information, call Mike Luciano at 897-1601 or Cherilee Budrick at 897-1667.