The Maine Department of Labor has been awarded $5,594,187 in federal funding to support and expand apprenticeship programs across the state, according to an announcement last week from Maine’s U.S. senators.
The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity and Innovation Grants Program.
“Apprenticeship programs provide Mainers with invaluable experience, helping to prepare them for a lifetime of success,” U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a joint statement on Friday.
“We welcome this funding to expand access to apprenticeships across our state, which will help more Mainers take advantage of these rewarding programs to gain critical skills and obtain quality jobs.”
The State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity and innovation Grants Program aims to support and expand apprenticeships by expanding systems to support the development, modernization and diversification of registered apprenticeship programs.
The federal support is also intended to improve partnership and alignment to support workforce system integration; increase the number of apprentices enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs, including underrepresented populations; and promote innovation in program development and recruitment strategies.
The Maine Department of Labor runs a formal, industry-led, nationally recognized Maine Apprenticeship Program that provides in-house skill development through on-the-job learning supplemented with technical and theoretical coursework, according to the agency’s website.
Employers including Pittsfield-based construction contractor Cianbro Corp., Washington County Community College in Calais and Portland-based Paradigm Windows offer apprenticeships through the program.
