November 2009: Morse High School Students Explore Fork Lifts, Boom Trucks, and Kitchen Design at Downeast Energy Career Day
BRUNSWICK, ME , November 12, 2009 – Downeast Energy and Building Supply is showing its support of Maine’s young people by continuing its community partnership with Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG). Not only has Downeast Energy pledged $10,000 in financial support to JMG over the last two years, but the company consistently enhances its relationship with JMG by having employees interact directly with JMG participants. Downeast Energy hosted 25 JMG students at their headquarters in Brunswick today to introduce them to the lumber and energy industry. Juniors and seniors from Morse High School in Bath participated in this Career Day as part of JMG’s one-credit course that prepares students for meaningful careers. Interaction with Maine employers is critical to the experiential-based JMG curriculum. At Downeast Energy students will participate in a day of hands-on interactive career-based learning.about jobs related to the lumber and energy industry – sales, delivery, technician service, design, informational technology and marketing. This is the fourth time the company opened up its facility as a real world classroom for JMG students. In the past students from Lewiston Regional Technical Center, Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham and Lincoln Academy in Damariscotta have spent time at Downeast Energy meeting the employees and learning about the training required for specific jobs and what the company looks for when hiring employees. “We are thrilled to be working with Jobs for Maine’s Graduates for a fourth year,” said Betsy Morrell, Vice President of Marketing and Training and Development for Downeast Energy. “It’s been such a rewarding experience to see these young students walk away with such enthusiasm for what they learned on their tour of Downeast Energy. Students learned that Downeast Energy is more than just an oil company, and were shown demonstrations in various areas such as welding and kitchen design. JMG is working to develop leadership skills and good work ethic and Downeast Energy is looking forward to sharing in this program again this year.” About JMG Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG) was established in 1993 by the Maine State Legislature. JMG is currently serving approximately 4,000 students in more than 60 school-based programs statewide. The vision of JMG is to be a champion for all students who are facing challenges to education and to guide each one on to a successful path to a brighter future. JMG measures its success one student at a time. JMG’s core programs include a high-school and a middle-school program. About Downeast Energy & Building Supply Downeast Energy and Building Supply is a third generation, family-owned business enterprise with 13 offices in southern and central Maine and Dover, NH, and a building supply store and lumber yard in Brunswick, ME. For more information, please visit www.downeastenergy.com. For more information about JMG event, please contact: Lisa Gardner at (207) 620-7180 ext. 209, cell 207-441-8411 or email lgardner@jmg.org. For Downeast Energy & Building Supplies, contact: Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates (207) 653-0365 nema@maine.rr.com