Maine will channel $12M to help businesses expand apprenticeships

Courtesy of Maine Department of Labor The Maine Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program provides hands-on experience and classroom instruction.

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By Staff

Maine businesses seeking to expand apprenticeships will be able to apply for $12 million in new grant funding from the Maine Department of Labor, Gov. Janet Mills announced on Tuesday.

The apprenticeships, backed by $11 million in federal funding from the governor's Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan and additional funding from a U.S Department of Labor program, are part of a larger effort by the Mills administration to address Maine's longstanding workforce challenges.

Businesses, labor unions, community-based organizations and industry associations can apply for the grants to partner with the state Labor Department on new apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs or to expand existing programs.

"Apprenticeships are a win for our workers, our employers, and our economy, providing on-the-job training that results in a stable workforce, good-paying jobs, and a stronger, more diverse economy," Mills said.

"I encourage employers looking for workers across Maine to use these funds to expand their apprenticeship programs to get more people — especially younger folks — into new, exciting fields that can provide a good paycheck."

Maine's Registered Apprenticeship Program currently has 1,177 apprentices and 122 registered sponsors, representing 321 participating businesses.

The Maine Department of Labor seeks to develop and expanding apprenticeship opportunities in high-wage, in-demand industries, and industries most affected by the pandemic. Current apprentices primarily represent the construction, manufacturing and health care industries.

Grant funding will be awarded with a focus on promoting expansion within those sectors as well as others such as clean energy, infrastructure, hospitality and agriculture.

Grants are expected to range from $250,000 to $3 million, though the total number and size of amounts awarded will depend on the number of proposals received, industries served, anticipated number of apprentices served and available funds, according to Tuesday's announcement.

Interested applicants can find more information, including eligibility requirements, and apply for a grant online by Feb. 23.