Workforce Pathways

Apprenticeships

Building skilled career pathways through hands-on, employer-driven training programs across Maine.

What We Do

Educate Maine is an approved Intermediary Sponsor of registered apprenticeship and certified pre-apprenticeship programs with the Maine Department of Labor’s Maine Apprenticeship Program. In this role, we help manage and support state-approved programs on behalf of, and in partnership with, employer and education provider partners. We act as a bridge between employers, apprentices, education providers, and the Maine Department of Labor, with the goal of making it easier for our partners to run high-quality programs.

We provide no-cost support and technical assistance from program development all the way through each participant’s completion. We also serve as a resource for apprentices and pre-apprentices themselves, connecting with participants and their mentors, instructors, and program coordinators throughout onboarding, during the program, and upon completion to ensure everyone is having a high-quality experience and can access additional support when needed.

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Certified APPRENTICESHIPS

Certified apprenticeship programs are recognized and approved by the state, adding standardization, quality assurance, and program rigor to the foundational apprenticeship model of paid, on-the-job training. Every registered apprenticeship program includes a minimum of 2,000 hours (one year) of paid, mentored on-the-job training in a specified occupation, a minimum of 144 hours of related classroom instruction, scheduled wage increases as apprentices progress, and a state-issued, nationally recognized credential awarded upon successful completion. Learn more about the components of registered apprenticeship programs here.

Certified Pre-Apprenticeships

Educate Maine also helps create pre-apprenticeship programs that provide learners with meaningful career exploration opportunities and give employers a streamlined, well-prepared talent pipeline. We connect employers offering registered apprenticeship opportunities with education providers offering relevant pre-apprenticeship curriculum, and work with all partners to establish a memorandum of agreement outlining roles, responsibilities, and the mutual benefits of the partnership.

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Who We Serve

We partner with Maine-based employers and education providers committed to hiring, paying, training, and retaining apprentices, following state-approved program standards. If an employer is not yet familiar with those standards, that is part of what we are here for. We walk prospective partners through the ins and outs of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, outline the benefits for employers, apprentices, and mentors, and highlight available funding opportunities.

We partner with employers of all sizes, industries, and locations across Maine, though we have developed specific areas of focus and expertise.

Educate Maine is an established Intermediary Sponsor in the following industries: High Performance Building, Automotive, and Aquaculture.
Beginning in 2026, Educate Maine is proud to serve as the statewide Intermediary Sponsor of educator registered apprenticeship programs through the Teach Maine Center, working closely with the Maine Department of Education and Maine Department of Labor to ensure programs lead to state certification and that educator apprentices receive classroom credit for demonstrated competency on the job.
Our partnership is especially valuable for smaller employers without dedicated HR or talent acquisition support.
Whenever possible, we prioritize expanding access to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities for young adults ages 16 to 24.

Apprentices in Educate Maine-supported programs are interviewed and hired by the employer partner. Educate Maine assists in promoting available opportunities but is not involved in candidate selection. Pre-apprentices are selected by the education provider administering the program curriculum.

How We Help You

Employers

Start a Registered Apprenticeship Program: Interested in offering registered apprenticeship opportunities? Contact Hannah Greene to schedule an exploratory meeting with a member of our team. It helps to come prepared with a sense of what occupation you want to build a program around and which internal staff will be involved in training, mentoring, and coordinating the apprenticeship. If Educate Maine or another sponsor already has a state-approved program model for that occupation, the process moves more quickly. If it is a new or unique occupation, that is fine too; it may just require a bit more work on the front end.

The timeline for designing and receiving state approval for a registered apprenticeship program depends largely on the employer’s available time and capacity. Some employers have completed the process in about a month; others take several months. Once a program design meets the employer’s standards, it is submitted to the Maine Apprenticeship Program for final review and approval, which takes approximately one month. Once approved, employers can begin enrolling apprentices, whether new hires or current employees, and have one year from official approval to hire their first apprentice.

Manage a Registered Apprenticeship Program: Employers who partner with Educate Maine to sponsor their registered apprenticeship programs receive free, ongoing support and technical assistance. This typically includes marketing open opportunities, training and supporting mentors, onboarding apprentices, tracking participant progress, resolving challenges, conducting ongoing check-ins, connecting apprentices with supportive services, planning for program completions, and managing all administrative responsibilities required to maintain compliance with Maine Department of Labor standards.

Students & Jobseekers

Find Opportunities: Learn more about Educate Maine-sponsored apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs on our Partners page. If a program is currently hiring, you will find further instructions and a link to apply. For questions, contact the Educate Maine staff listed in the program description.

Strategic Touchpoints: Apprentices in Educate Maine-supported programs check in with our staff periodically to share progress updates, discuss any challenges or concerns, and connect about available resources. We enjoy getting to know the apprentices in our programs and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments.

Connection to Supportive Services: All apprentices and pre-apprentices are encouraged to be evaluated for supportive services through their local workforce services provider. These services are designed to reduce barriers to entering or completing a program. Educate Maine staff can provide more information and connect participants with their local provider.

Educate Maine will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older. Educate Maine will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate our apprenticeship programming as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Workforce Pathways