Maine Apprenticeship Program Hosts Inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week 2024:

May 2, 2024

For Immediate Release: May 2, 2024

Maine Apprenticeship Program Hosts Inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week 2024: Empowering Tomorrow's Workforce with Series of Events, May 5th-11th

2023 represented the highest growth of new apprentices registered in the last five years

AUGUSTA Maine aims to add 75,000 - https://www.maine.gov/decd/sites/maine.gov.decd/files/inline-files/Maine%20Economic%20Development%20Strategy%202024%20Reset.pdf people to its workforce by 2029, in part through expanding career training pipelines such as pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship. Following a successful National Apprenticeship Week in November, which highlighted the value of registered apprenticeship programs to help meet Maine's workforce needs, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is spotlighting the Maine Apprenticeship Program (MAP) - https://www.maine.gov/labor/jobs_training/apprenticeship/ with the celebration of the first-ever national Youth Apprenticeship Week - https://www.apprenticeship.gov/youth-apprenticeship-week , which takes place May 511, 2024. During the week, the Maine Apprenticeship Program will host events to educate young Mainers, educators, and parents about pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs that give young adults the opportunity to explore career opportunities in healthcare, construction, manufacturing, clean energy, IT, and more.

Registered apprenticeships allow Maine's young people to "earn while they learn." Apprentices are paid employees while obtaining the relevant training and experience to start their careers, resulting in a nationally-recognized credential at graduation. The Maine Apprenticeship Program has successfully created new opportunities for pre-apprentices and apprenticeships, serving 380 individuals aged 16-24 between 2022 and 2023. This achievement is thanks to partnerships with labor unions, industry associations and local career and technical schools.

"The Maine Apprenticeship Program is a powerful tool for employers to attract, train, and retain the employees they need, and for individuals to gain skills and credentials while earning wages," said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. "Good work lives here in Maine, and MAP helps employers and job seekers find it. I invite employers to engage with today and tomorrow's workforce, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration and growth, and youth to learn more about these opportunities during this week's events."

Maines National Youth Apprenticeship Week: Event Schedule for the Week:

Tuesday, May 7th Mini Lesson Taught to Familiarize Students with Apprenticeship: The Maine Apprenticeship Program has partnered with JMG Essentials - https://jmg.org/high-school-program to help familiarize Maine students with apprenticeship opportunities. In more than 150 public high schools statewide, teachers will integrate mini-lessons about apprenticeships created and customized for their students and integrated into their curriculum. This effort aims to raise awareness and interest in pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs for students from all backgrounds. The day promises to be a significant step in preparing Maine's youth for future success in the workforce.

Wednesday, May 8th Learning Series in Conjunction with Vocational Rehabilitation Services: On Wednesday, May 8th, the Maine Department of Labors Vocational Rehabilitation Services' Amanda Muller - https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/vr.shtml will host a virtual learning opportunity tailored to students with learning and physical disabilities. The session will provide information on a planned Summer 2024 Maine Apprenticeship Program Bus Tour for current Vocational Rehabilitation clients, who are high school students, and their parents/ guardians.

During the planned summer tour, students will explore exciting career paths through hands-on activities and interactive tours of apprenticeship employers throughout Maine. Interested students, parents, and guardians can register in advance for the Zoom webinar - https://mainestate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kkFNt-uVT62nDQxZWkljYA#/registration . The event will utilize accessible presentation formats with recordings available on the Maine Department of Labor's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MaineDOL for on-demand access. Emphasizing the importance of self-disclosure, the organizers aim to create a safe space for students to discuss their disabilities with potential employers, fostering inclusivity in the workforce.

Thursday, May 9th Getting Started with High School Electrical Trades Webinar: More and more high school students are being turned away from electrical trade continuing education schools because they have reached capacity. On Thursday, May 9th, a virtual Zoom webinar titled Getting Started with High School Electrical Trades will be hosted by Advanced Technical Schooling and Foster CTE Center - https://www.fostercte.com/ in Farmington. The webinar addresses the growing demand for electricians and the need for more skilled workers. The aim of the webinar is to encourage the development of electrical trade programs for more students, utilizing curriculum approved by the Maine Electrician's Board. The 45-minute presentation is scheduled from 2:002:45 p.m. Interested individuals can sign up for the webinar here - https://mainestate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_20FF6tbaTgiv-WySZ1Rq2Q#/registration .

Saturday, May 11th - Bath Iron Works Open House On Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. 4 p.m., General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works is hosting a hiring open house for many occupations and registered apprenticeship opportunities. There will be on-the-spot interviews, job offers, and information on career paths in Maines shipbuilding industry.

Location: BIW Training Academy, 8 Leavitt Drive at Brunswick Landing, Brunswick, ME

As Youth Apprenticeship Week wraps up, the Maine Employer Summit - https://www.maineemployersummit.com/ will begin on Tuesday, May 14th, at the Cross Insurance Arena in Bangor. The Maine Departments of Labor and Economic and Community Development have invited more than 100 students from local high schools to participate in the summit, engage in hands-on career exploration activities, connect with 300+ employers, and share what theyre looking for in an ideal job and workplace in mock interviews. Schools and youth programs looking to bring young adults to the Summit are encouraged to register at https://www.maineemployersummit.com .

The list of events can also be found here: https://www.maine.gov/labor/jobs_training/apprenticeship/youth-apprenticeship-week-2024

About the Maine Apprenticeship Program

Established in 1941, the Maine Apprenticeship Program has collaborated with employers across diverse industries to address their workforce needs and connect individuals with valuable training opportunities and high-quality employment. Under the administration of the Maine Department of Labor, the program offers a "learn while you earn" approach, enabling participants to acquire nationally recognized, transferable credentials without accumulating debt. Registered apprenticeships require a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and at least 144 hours of formal coursework each year, emphasizing safety, structure, mentorship and a clear progression path. As full-time employees of their respective businesses, apprentices benefit from wage and hour protections, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation, ensuring comprehensive support.