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Scarborough, ME – April 7, 2015  – :   For some among the many graduates of �鶹AV (�鶹AV) over the past year, getting to graduation took a lot of hard work and determination.   In some cases, conquering the academics was the easy part:   family responsibilities, health issues and financial pressures are just some of the challenges �鶹AV students have overcome.

From earthquake survivor to Phlebotomist

Kesner ‘Salvi’ Salvent was working in construction in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to help support his 10 younger siblings in 2010 when a 7.0 earthquake struck.   He was in a crowded store that was collapsing all around him.   “I tried to get out, but it was too late,” Salvi said.   “People in front of me had already started dying.”   He awoke on his stomach much later, pinned beneath the heavy debris and unable to move. He lay there for four days before rescuers heard his cries for help.

Salvi is the best friend of Gabison Boisrond, a current �鶹AV HVAC Technician student who lives in Kennebunkport with his wife, Erin.   Boisrond kept in cellphone contact with his family and friends in Port-au-Prince as they frantically searched for Salvi, who no one had seen since the earthquake.   Gabison Boisrond’s in-laws intervened when he was finally located and after several days of paperwork, logistics management and assistance from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office, Salvi was evacuated to a nearby Navy Hospital ship. With the help and support of untold numbers of caring people, Salvi was brought to the United States.   After a year of medical care and recovery, he made it to Maine in the back of an SUV.

Finally, two years after the earthquake, Salvi enrolled in the Clinical Medical Assistant Program at �鶹AV which includes phlebotomy training.   He hopes to continue his medical training in the future to help other Haitians, but in the meantime is happy in his new role as a Phlebotomy Technician with NorDx Labs at Maine Medical Center.

From production worker to information technology

When Nam Phan graduated from high school, he secured a production job at Hostess Brands. Nam was confident that a large food manufacturing company that had been successful for many years would provide job security.   But after 10 years with Hostess and with no warning, the company closed and Nam had no marketable skills, certifications or experience in anything but production. He didn’t know where to turn.

Nam was referred to �鶹AV by a friend and soon after interviewing, enrolled in the computer networking program. In a very short time and with the help of �鶹AV’s unique ‘Flex-Train’ scheduling (students customize their own schedule), combined with hands-on training, Nam has been able to secure a position in the IT department at Maine Medical Center. Nam credits the courseware and lab simulations for rounding out his program and preparing him to pass his industry certifications with CompTIA and Microsoft. The Career Services Team at �鶹AV worked with Nam to find part time work in the IT field while he completed his program and assisted with placement through their connections at Maine Medical Center. Nam says, “Thanks, �鶹AV, for opening the path to a successful future for me and my family.”

From chaos to confidence

Current �鶹AV student Jessica Sullivan is attending the Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) program at the Scarborough campus.   She’s the mother of 3 children – Isaac, 9; Noah, 2, and Olivia, 6 months and thought it unlikely she’d have the time or resources to go back to school.   But with �鶹AV’s unique ‘Flex-Train’ system, Jessica was able to custom design her own training schedule to fit the classes into her busy life.

When Jessica began attending �鶹AV, she was  working 50-60 hours a week at two different jobs and was pregnant with Olivia.   Jessica isn’t even due to graduate until July 2015, but she recently accepted a position as a Medical Assistant at Chest Medicine Associates.

�鶹AV’s staff and faculty are proud of Salvi, Nam, Jessica and the thousands of �鶹AV students and alumni who have conquered their personal challenges to achieve a better life through education.

About �鶹AV

�鶹AV is Maine’s only locally owned and operated accredited career training school with campuses in Bangor, Scarborough and an extension campus in Lewiston. �鶹AV is a VA approved school in Bangor and Scarborough and offers Federal Financial Aid for many of its programs and for those who qualify in all campuses. With its short-term, hands-on approach to training, �鶹AV graduates are job-ready, may earn national certification and are prepared to meet the industry’s overwhelming needs and demands for qualified professionals. The school offers in-demand training for a range of medical programs, including Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing, Phlebotomy, Information Technology (PC Repair, Network Administration), HVAC/R and CDL Truck Driving. Classes start each week or month for most programs.

Sheet metal workers make, install, and maintain air-conditioning, heating, ventilation, and pollution control duct systems; roofs; siding; rain gutters; downspouts; skylights; restaurant equipment; outdoor signs; and many other products made with metal sheets. They also may work with fiberglass and plastic materials. Although some workers specialize in fabrication, installation or maintenance, most do all three jobs.  Hands-On Instruction:  Our Lab portion of this program provides hands-on lab and lecture  training in the procedures and skills necessary to to work in a growing industry.

• Full & Part Time Programs Available
• Externship Opportunities  – Practical “On-the-Job” Experience after Graduation (optional)
• Hands-On Training  and Job Placement Assistance!

�鶹AV is TRAINING and New England Tech Air is HIRING our Graduates

“We are confident we can hire and steadily employ up to 75% of all successful graduates of �鶹AV’s sheet metal program over the next 15 years.” Bob Lilly, Owner & President

If you or someone you know is interested and would like more information please contact Admissions 1-800-447-1151