Rotary donates $2,400 to Spaulding students studying for Safran jobs

From left, Superintendent Michael Hopkins, Rochester Rotary President Robert Magnusson and Assistant Superintendent Kyle Repucci. (Courtesy photo/Rochester Public Schools)

ROCHESTER - Rochester School Superintendent Michael Hopkins announced today that the Rochester Rotary Club donated $2,400 last week to support the district's Advanced Manufacturing, Finishing and Bonding program through Great Bay Community College.

The Rochester Rotary Club presented the donation last Monday.

This school year, eight Spaulding High School seniors were the first to graduate from a pilot Extended Learning Opportunities program, through which they were able to train for careers in advanced manufacturing, finishing and bonding while pursuing their high school diplomas.

The students attended classes at Great Bay Community College three times a week, and took courses including Business Communications and Introduction to Computers at Spaulding High School.

Students in the program gained experience with machinery and processes used in many high-tech industries, and also earned advanced composites manufacturing certificates in bonding and finishing and OSHA 10 certification. Upon completion of the program, each student was also guaranteed an interview at Safran Aerospace Composites, an aerospace manufacturing company in Rochester.

"Our partnership with Great Bay Community College is an exciting new opportunity for our students to train to join the workforce and acquire valuable skills that are in demand, right in their own community," Hopkins said. "Thank you to the Rochester Rotary for their support of this program, as well as to our partners at Great Bay and Safran for their contributions to creating diverse opportunities for our students."

Rochester Rotary's donation will pay a portion of tuition to Great Bay Community College for 12 students who will undertake the program next school year.