Workforce & Training
Maine Work Ethic
Maine has always been regarded as an entrepreneurial state. A diverse business base is the foundation of the state's success. Maine workers are constantly praised for their high work ethic and have an international reputation for high quality work done on time and under budget. Portland is consistently named as one of the country's most livable cities, and Maine was recently ranked the safest state in the country. Quality of work...Quality of place...Quality of life.
Maine people are known for their strong work ethic and commitment to delivering quality performance every workday. In Maine, labor disputes are rare. Maine employers consider their workers their best asset.
TechMaine Releases Workforce Skills Census Findings
The Census report is now available.
Maine Worker Training
Employers praise the state's customized approach in developing programs and training initiatives that meet business demands for a highly skilled, technical workforce. Some of these programs, which include a variety of training, reimbursement, and apprenticeship programs are summarized here. For details and eligibility requirements, please contact the Office of Business Development at biz.growth@state.me.us. Additional information is available through the Director of Workforce Development, Department of Labor: 207-624-6390.
Maine Lifelong Learning Accounts
The Lifelong Learning Account (LiLA) Program provides an exciting new pathway for employer and employee to work together to increase access to education, training and skill development. Employees open individual investment accounts and employers match their contributions up to an established cap. Lifelong learning accounts help employees and employers work together to finance skill development and lifelong learning. LILAs are designed to make education and training opportunities more accessible to working adults.
Pre-Apprenticeship & Apprenticeship Program.
Maine's Pre-Apprenticeship Program begins with two years of customized high school academics coupled with two summers of on-the-job training. The student receives permanent employment and progresses to the Apprenticeship Program upon high school graduation. Maine's Apprenticeship Program provides customized, systematic training and instruction so workers can obtain professional credentials. Many of Maine's larger firms have taken advantage of this innovative workforce development program, which will underwrite 50 percent of apprenticeship-related tuition for new and existing employees.
For more information contact:
Maine Apprenticeship Program
Maine Department of Labor
55 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0055
Maine Career Advantage.
MCA is coordinated by the Maine Technical College System in partnership with Maine high schools and businesses. This program provides paid summer and two-year internships for high school seniors and technical college freshmen. MCA is a nationally recognized two-year combination of business internship and integrated academics, including one free year at the technical college level.
Call 1-207-767-5210 For More Information
Center for Career Development
Maine Community College System
SMTC, Fort Road
South Portland, Maine 04106
Tech Prep
A sequential, industry-driven academic and technical training beginning in eleventh grade and progressing through completion of Certificate, Associate and/or Bachelor Degrees.
For more information contact:
Gary F. Crocker
Tech Prep/Maine Coordinator
Maine Community College System
323 State Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
Maine Quality Centers Program. This program provides 100% state-financed education and training for new employees, as well as customized recruitment and guaranteed, fast-track training designed to employer specifications. This program is offered at no cost to the company or trainees, and is delivered by the state's technical colleges. New or expanding firms creating at least eight new full-time jobs with benefits may be eligible.
For more information contact:
Jim McGowan
Director, Maine Quality Centers
Maine Community College System
323 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Governor’s Training Initiative. This program reimburses training costs when they are required for business expansion, retention or unique upgrading issues. Businesses that meet eligibility requirements may receive reimbursements for on-the-job training, competitive retooling, assessment, job task analysis, workplace safety, specialized recruitment, workplace literacy, high-performance skills or customized technical training.
Download more information and an application PDF form
For more information contact:
Bureau of Employment Services
Maine Department of Labor
55 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0055
Workplace Safety Education and Training Program. Maine's Department of Labor provides SafetyWorks!, a customized occupational health and safety training, site evaluation and technical support program. Services are available at no cost to employers and are independent of OSHA activities.
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Maine Video Display Terminal (VDT) Law - Maine workplaces with at least one employee who spends 4 or more hours a day on the computer must comply with this law. , PDF, 48kb Working Safely with Computers Training Program (scroll to sections 251 and 252)
For more information contact:
SafetyWorks (email) or
Safety Works!
Bureau of Labor Standards, Maine Department of Labor
45 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0045
