Maine Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs awarded over $6.4 Million to Continue Building Talent Pipelines

July 9, 2025

For Immediate Release: July 8, 2025

Maine Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs awarded over $6.4 Million to Continue Building Talent Pipelines

Funds will support workforce training for thousands of current and future Maine workers

AUGUSTA - Registered apprenticeship - https://apprenticeship.maine.gov/ is a proven workforce development strategy with a high return on investment - over 90% of apprentices who complete their program are still working with their employer after one year, and apprentice graduates earn an average of $300,000 more over their lifetime than peers who don't have the credential. In January 2022, the Maine Department of Labors Maine Apprenticeship Program (MAP), through the Governor's Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan - https://www.maine.gov/jobsplan/ and other federal grants, made $12.3 million in grant funding available to Maine businesses - https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-announces-123-million-more-double-apprenticeships-maine-people-strengthen to expand programs. Through a series of recent grants, totaling over $6.4 million, the state will be able to build on that success, serving another 2,500 individuals.

"Apprenticeship is a powerful earn-and-learn model for growing the state's economy and training its workforce for high-wage, in-demand careers," said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. "These funds will enable us to expand apprenticeship and continue to build alternative entry points to skilled professions that deliver lasting value to workers, employers, and Maines economy."

"We could not be happier to have the ability to continue to support apprenticeship within construction, where we know we can have a significant impact on both the individuals entering the workforce and the industry itself," said Kelly Flagg, Executive Director of AGC Maine. "By strengthening workforce development, AGC Maine aims to create long-term economic opportunities, reduce barriers to employment, and foster skilled labor growth in the region."

Recent Grants:

• In addition to $420,202 in base formula funding from the U.S. Department of Labor for staffing, the Maine Department of Labor was also awarded a 3-year $5,000,000 competitive grant to implement the Expanding the Maine Apprenticeship Program (EMAP) initiative, which will enable MAP to further expand its pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, focusing on the education and infrastructure sectors.

• The Maine Apprenticeship Program estimates that 1,970 participants will be served through EMAP. Of these, 570 will enroll in a pre-apprenticeship program and 512 will complete their pre-apprenticeship program. MAP estimates that 1,400 participants will enter a registered apprenticeship program. A portion of these participants will include successful pre-apprentices who choose to enter an apprenticeship upon completion.

• The Maine Department of Labor was awarded $500,000 by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) to expand registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in construction and manufacturing across eight counties in Maines Northern Border Region.

• The Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine) was awarded $497,961 by the NBRC to expand its Maine Construction Academy Immersion Program, a certified pre-apprenticeship leading to apprenticeships within commercial construction. This 20-day paid pre-apprenticeship offers certifications, hands-on construction experience, and job placement support. By strengthening workforce development, AGC Maine aims to create long-term economic opportunities, reduce barriers to employment, and foster skilled labor growth in the region. With the grant funds, the program plans to serve 180 individuals.

In 2019, Maine's Economic Development Strategy 2020-2029 called for adding 75,000 people to Maine's talent pool over the next ten years, as more people are expected to retire than enter the state's labor force in the coming decade. Updated last year, Maine's Economic Development Strategy 20202029: The 2024 Reset promotes Registered Apprenticeship as a key education and career pathway to grow Maine's workforce.

These apprenticeship initiatives also support Governor Mills' 2024 signed executive order to increase the representation of women in construction careers. Updates on actions taken can be found here.

About Registered Apprenticeship:

The Maine Apprenticeship Program (MAP) assists employers in setting up structured, yet flexible training programs designed to meet the specific workforce development needs of Maine employers through on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction. Registered apprenticeships require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, and a minimum of 144 hours formal coursework for each year of the apprenticeship.

• In 2024, a total of 3,639 apprentices were actively working toward industry-recognized skill certifications, and nearly 500 employers were participating.

• Among active apprentices in 2024, 758 were female. Of these, 366 (representing 10.1% of all apprentices, up from 6.9% in 2019) pursued training in non-traditional occupations (NTOs) such as machinist, non-destructive tester, pipefitter, electrician, shipfitter, and welder-fields traditionally dominated by men.

• 429 apprentices (11.8%) identified as Hispanic or as members of BIPOC communities, a significant increase from 4.2% in 2019. The rising participation of women, Hispanic, and BIPOC individuals in apprenticeship programs reflects the success of ongoing efforts to enhance diversity and expand apprenticeship opportunities.

Benefits for Employers:

• Improved recruiting
• More diverse workforce
• Reduced turnover costs
• Connection to training funds
• Program can be customized to meet employers' needs
• Higher productivity
• Enhanced existing business practices

Benefits for Apprentices:

• Increased skills
• Nationally recognized, portable credential
• Earn a paycheck while training
• Higher wages
• Mentor support
• Job security
• Safer workplace

For more information on registered apprenticeship, visit https://apprenticeship.maine.gov/