Staff Writer
The contractor operating the Loring Job Corps Center in Limestone will change next year, according to the LJCC director James Gagnon.
Speaking at the Community Relations Council on Thursday, Gagnon said Training and Development Corp. has not made the “zone of competition.” TDC, with offices in Bucksport, has operated the Job Corps center since its inception over a decade ago. TDC also operated the Penobscot Job Corps Center in Bangor but lost the contract to another operator Career Systems Development Corps of West Henrietta, N.Y.
Gagnon explained that the TDC proposal will not proceed to the next level and the contract award will be made to another contractor. TDC’s contract will end on Dec. 31.
However, Gagnon told his audience that although the contractor will change, the center will remain open.
“It will have no impact on our students,” Gagnon said.
The announcement, which had already been made to students and staff earlier in the week, comes at a time when the Loring center is doing well, according to recently released statistics.
Kristie Moir, director of career advancement services, said earlier at the council meeting that the center ranked seventh in recruiting students and second in student finding employment after finishing the program.
Out more than 120 Job Corps centers across the country, the Loring Job Corps Center ranks 49, according to Moir.
“It’s all about making our students succeed,” said Gagnon.
Traditionally when there’s a change in the contractor, there are significant staffing changes. However, Gagnon wanted to “emphasize” that most staff should be retained.
“I do believe that the staff here is well positioned,” Gagnon said. “Everyone should be retained.”
As the process continues and a new contractor is selected, Gagnon said he would keep the community informed.
