MEXICO – Brian Witherell, 26, thought he had a good setup when he was hired at NewPage Corp. in Rumford a couple of years ago to work on one of the paper machines.

On Wednesday, the Peru resident was among dozens of laid-off workers at Region 9 School of Applied Technology, where the school and CareerCenter offered resources for training and services.

Witherell and his friend Jeff Levin, 29, of Mexico are two of the 130 NewPage employees who have found themselves without a job, or will soon be out of a job, due to the permanent layoffs.

Levin, also a paper machine worker, wasn’t really surprised he and others lost their jobs at the paper mill.

“The writing was on the wall with the poor economy,” he said.

Region 9 Adult and Community Education Director Nancy Allen said, “We’re excited that people have come here. We’re here to help, and not just today.”

Some attendees were studying the retraining sources available through Region 9 or Central Maine Community College, small business start-up from counselor Rose Creps from Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and information from banks and credit unions on how to refinance. Others converged on the computer lab to file for unemployment electronically.

Chris Bourgeois of Rumford lost his job at an environmental control firm in Auburn about a month ago and was being taught how to file by Region 9 computer teacher and technician David Descoteaux.

Mike Castaneda, a former vice president of Local 4-0011 at Wausau Paper in Jay and now a peer support worker, helped paper mill employees navigate the many requirements and opportunities at the CareerCenter.

He said every laid-off worker must fill out a worker needs assessment survey to receive a National Emergency Grant to help pay for retraining.

CareerCenters are located in Rumford and Wilton.

Region 9 will serve as the center for information about retraining, social services and other needs. A second, broader event has been scheduled for March 12 when a variety of services, possible employers, and training opportunities will be available. Also, the computer lab at the school will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. for job seekers to file unemployment forms or to take the worker needs assessment survey.

Other classes, many through the CareerCenter, will be held on resume and cover letter writing, and interviewing. The Myers-Briggs test, which gauges a person’s interest in a career, will be given on March 6 and 20.

Additional information may be found at the CareerCenter or at Region 9.