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Students Participate in Pre-Apprenticeship Signing Ceremony to Train for a Career as Electrical & Instrumentation Technicians 
May 31, 2024
For Immediate Release: May 31, 2024
Students Participate in Pre-Apprenticeship Signing Ceremony to Train for a Career as Electrical & Instrumentation Technicians
SKOWHEGAN - On Friday, May 31, 2024, at Sappi's Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, two graduating seniors from Somerset Career & Technical Center, Anthony Alberico and Trenton Huff, signed their intent to complete a certified pre-apprenticeship, their first step toward a career as electrical & instrumentation technicians.
The signing ceremony celebrated these students and their career goals, and highlighted the unique pre-apprenticeship to registered apprenticeship pathway that has been created in partnership with Sappi North America and Somerset Career & Technical Center.
During the week-long pre-apprenticeship this summer, graduating seniors will receive job readiness training, OSHA-10 certification, and job shadow experience. Pre-apprentices that successfully complete the program will be guaranteed an interview into Sappi North America's Electrical & Instrumentation Technician's apprenticeship program.
Those that are accepted as apprentices will continue their career pathway by earning a degree through the Maine Community College System while they work as paid apprentices. This new unique pre-apprenticeship pathway links students in Maine to good-paying jobs and higher education.
"The implementation of certified pre-apprenticeship programs in Maine in 2023 has helped cement registered apprenticeship programming as an integrated, sustainable workforce development strategy," said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. "Now, the number of pre-apprenticeship programs and pre-apprentices has only continued to grow, with this partnership becoming the latest certified pre-apprenticeship. As graduating seniors, these students have so many opportunities in front of them, and we are excited to support them on their career journey in collaboration with Somerset Career and Technical Center, Sappi, and the Maine Community College System."
"The Somerset Career & Technical Center continues to look for new opportunities for students to gain experience in their chosen career path. This partnership with Sappi is the start of many new opportunities that are going to benefit our students as well as Sappi and other community partners," said David Dorr, Director of Somerset Career and Technical Center.
"I am very excited for this opportunity," said Anthony Alberico, Somerset Career and Technical Center graduating senior and new pre-apprentice. "This will indefinitely assist me in future endeavors, and expose me to more industrial electrical systems. Thank you, Somerset Career and Technical Center and Sappi, for this amazing opportunity."
"We are incredibly proud to partner with the Maine Department of Labor on our new Electrical and Instrumentation Technician Registered Maine Apprenticeship (the first of its kind in the state) and with Somerset Career & Technical Center on the new Pre-Apprenticeship," said Amy Herrick, Senior Project Manager of Training at Sappi. "Our investments in equipment and infrastructure can only be successful if we also invest in our workforce with great training, and these partnerships help us at the Sappi Somerset Mill continue our efforts to raise the bar in that endeavor."
"The Maine Department of Education is committed to supporting learning opportunities that are engaging and relevant for all students," said Megan Welter, Associate Commissioner of Public Education at the Maine Department of Education. "This program bridges pre-apprentices' experiences at Somerset Career and Technical Center with real-world learning experiences in the Sappi North America workplace where they will build their skills and knowledge that will serve as a foundation for their future success."
"It is truly an honor and privilege to have the recognition and support from the Maine Department of Labor, alongside the partnership with Somerset Career & Technical Center," said Bryan Butler, Electrical and Instrumentation Planner/Supervisor at Sappi. "I look forward to many years of friendship and all of us working together to create a path for students looking to embark on a career in the electrical field."
"Somerset Career and Technical Center and the Maine Apprenticeship Program are opening up so many opportunities, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it," said Trenton Huff, Somerset Career and Technical Center graduating senior and new pre-apprentice.
"On behalf of the IBEW Local 1768, we are excited to welcome in the pre-apprenticeship program to attract young local talent and help develop their skills to enjoy a long fulfilling career," said Michael Brown, Local 1768 Union President.
In June 2023, the first pre-apprenticeship program was certified by the Maine Department of Labor. Through 2023, a total of 30 new pre-apprenticeship programs were certified, 672 pre-apprentices were enrolled, and 490 individuals successfully completed their programs. Certified pre-apprenticeship programming is now offered in a wide variety of sectors, including healthcare, construction, automotive technology, manufacturing, aquaculture, and hospitality.
More information on pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/apprenticeship/
Images
- Back row: Bryan Butler, Electrical and Instrumentation Planner/Supervisor at Sappi; Michaela LaPorte, Workforce Development, Somerset Career & Technical Center; Amy Herrick, Sappi, Senior Project Manager, Training; Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Dept. of Labor; Megan Welter, Associate Commissioner of Public Education at the Maine Dept. of Education; and David Dorr, Director of Somerset Career & Technical Center
- Front row: Pre-apprentices Anthony Alberico and Trenton Huff
