Mills Administration Announces $12 Million to Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities

Press Release

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Maine Department of Labor is making available up to $12 million in grant funding for Maine businesses to significantly expand apprenticeships. These apprenticeships are part of a larger effort by the Mills Administration to address the longstanding workforce shortage issue in Maine.

Backed by $11 million in Federal funding from the Governor's Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan and additional funding from U.S. Department of Labor's State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity, and Innovation (SAEEI) Grant, these new grants can be used by businesses, labor unions, community-based organizations or industry associations to partner with Maine Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship Program to develop new apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs or expand existing apprenticeship programs.

Registered apprenticeship is a proven approach that connects workers to high-quality career pathways and meets employers' talent needs by preparing and developing their current and future workforce. Apprenticeship programs help employers by upskilling and retaining workers and leads to wage growth for workers--both imperatives for Maine's economic recovery.

The State's Registered Apprenticeship Program currently has 1,177 apprentices and 122 registered sponsors, representing 321 participating businesses in Maine. Apprentices in Maine who completed their program in the last two years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, increased their wages, on average, by nearly 40 percent, and 94 percent of apprentices continue their employment with their apprenticeship sponsoring business.

"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," said Governor Janet Mills. "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."

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