Maine Apprenticeship Program

The Maine Apprenticeship Program assists in setting up structured yet flexible training programs designed to meet the specific needs of Maine employers through on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction. Apprenticeship Programs can be sponsored by employers, employer associations, or labor/management groups that can hire and train in a working situation.

 

The Maine Apprenticeship Program (MAP) is a formal, industry-led, nationally-recognized, workforce training program for employees that provides in-house skill development through structured on-the-job learning supplemented with technical and theoretical course work.

Hiring Incentives

A sponsor must provide a safe on-the-job learning environment, expose and allow the apprentice to learn and practice all of the skills prescribed in the standards, and provide incremental wage increases as the apprentice gains proficiency and completes course requirements.

Benefits of being an Apprenticeship Sponsor

  • Provides you with a formal, industry recognized, in-house training program specific to your needs
  • Engages employees in self-directed learning and incents them to advance their skills
  • Is proven to reduce employee turnover and increase productivity, quality, safety, and worker versatility
  • Attracts employees who are interested in, and have aptitudes to learn the skills required by your industry
  • Gives your industry a voice in workforce education and training matters and links your company to other workforce development resources and information
  • Helps to pay the cost of your supervisor or journey worker upgrade training to ensure you have the best in-house trainers or mentors for your program
  • Allows you to pay wages commensurate with their skill levels on Davis Bacon and Prevailing Wage contracts
  • Keeps your company apprised of best practices, new approaches and resources for workforce skill development

Support Sponsors can Expect from Maine Apprenticeship Program

  • Assistance with the development of your program
  • Help identify related instruction providers
  • Registers your program for federal purposes
  • Pays up to 50% of the cost of classroom instruction

Interested in learning more on how to Sponsor an apprenticeship? Contact:

What's an Apprenticeable Occupation?

An apprenticeable occupation is a skilled occupation that:

  • Is typically learned practically through a structured program of 2000 hours per year of supervised on-the-job learning
  • Is clearly identified and commonly recognized through an industry
  • Involves specialized skills and knowledge that require a minimum number of hours as directed by the schedule of on-the-job work experience
  • Requires related instruction classes to supplement on-the-job learning

Does Maine Apprenticeship Program have a list of available Apprenticeships?

The Maine Department of Labor does not have a list of open apprenticeship opportunities. Employers may post their apprenticeship opportunities on Maine JobLink. Click here to see if any are currently listed.

Who can be an apprentice?

Any existing employee or new hire can become an Apprentice as long as they:

  • Are at least 16 years old
  • Are committed to furthering their education, both in the classroom and on the job

Maine CareerCenters and our partners also offer additional training opportunities. Visit mainecareercenter.com for more information.

Apprenticeship Guides for using Maine Job Link