LEWISTON — Ten local students graduated as certified nursing assistants on Aug. 3 from Mount Saint Joseph’s Residence and Rehabilitation facility in Waterville.

The program was part of partnerships among Regional School Unit 54 Community & Adult Education, the Skowhegan and Lewiston CareerCenters, and Western Maine Community Action.

Candidates successfully completed three weeks of a Ready2Work program through RSU 54 and 10 weeks of classroom/clinical training at Mount Saint Joseph’s to meet the 180 hours required. On-the-Job Training program funding was provided by the CareerCenters. OJT is an incentive-based program that reimburses 50 percent of a trainee’s wages during the duration of the program.

“Thanks to this partnership program, the students were better prepared, more motivated and committed as they knew what the program would be and what the job would entail,” said Diane Sinclair, registered nurse, Mount Saint Joseph’s administrator.