Launch of cybersecurity and IT apprenticeship program at University of Maine at Augusta

On September 28, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm eastern time, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) and its Commissioner, Laura Fortman, will announce the launch of the Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program in cybersecurity and IT at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA). This new initiative will offer employers a quick and proven way to recruit and train new hires through UMA's RA program, while also providing the opportunity to foster the cybersecurity skills and capabilities of existing employees.

Opportunities for entrepreneurs and human resources managers

Business owners, human resources leaders, regional workforce council members, America Job Center (AJC) staff, and education leaders are invited to register to participate and learn how they can partner with the RA program endorsed by UMA's MDOL to meet IT and cybersecurity workforce needs in Maine. A panel featuring industry experts from Safal Partners, the U.S. Department of Labor's (U.S. DOL) national cybersecurity apprenticeship expansion industry intermediary, and current Maine employers will discuss promising practices in using apprenticeships as a workforce development model.

Benefits of Registered Apprenticeship

“The UMA-sponsored RA program provides Maine employers, across all industries, access to high-quality, industry-aligned training opportunities to increase the skills of existing employees while expanding the potential source of talent for new hires, through a structured training program proven to generate a positive return on investment, increase diversity and reduce costly employee turnover rates,” says Katie Adams, Chief Delivery Officer at Safal Partners.

Apprenticeships as a workforce development solution

Registered apprenticeships are an economically positive model for workforce development. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), 93% of apprentices are retained by organizations upon completion of the RA program, compared to only 55.5% of interns, and organizations average a 44% ROI (144 dollars for every 100 spent) from their RA program.