Augusta Resident, Wagner College Student, Interns at the Maine Department of Labor

August 18, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2017

Media Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

AUGUSTA?This summer, Benjamin Lucas of Augusta participated in the Maine Government Summer Internship Program with the Maine Department of Labor. Lucas spent 12 weeks working for the department as an Organizational Assistant for the Bureau of Labor Standards.

Lucas, a rising-Senior Political Science major at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY, worked on various projects for the department, including updating and organizing bureau policies and procedures and creating a formal template for the procedures to follow.

?Starting this internship, I wanted to gain experience and knowledge about how state government functions, and I learned a ton about how much the Department of Labor does for the people of Maine and how much state government can do," said Lucas. "It was a great experience learning about it.?

?Ben was an enthusiastic contributor to the department this summer, and we appreciate his efforts on behalf of the people we serve,? stated Commissioner of Labor John Butera. ?Internships help students learn skills that will help them as they transition into the workforce, and open them to a wide range of job opportunities in Maine. These work experiences play an important role in not only addressing the recruiting and retention challenges for our employers, but encourages young people to move to or stay in Maine.?

The department administers Maine?s unemployment insurance system, helps ensure the safety of employees and provides workforce development leadership and vocational rehabilitation services throughout the state. The department has focused on connecting Mainers to jobs and helping businesses create jobs through strengthening our workforce development system, improving outreach to businesses and clarifying employment regulations.

The Maine State Government Internship Program combines paid work experience with education. Administered by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine. It is a collaboration involving the Office of the Governor, the Maine Bureau of Human Resources and Maine state government agencies.

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