What are the requirements for an employer to participate?
Any Maine employer is eligible to participate. You must be ready and able to develop work opportunities suitable for young people/students and facilitate on the job training that meets learning goals and your business needs.

What does it cost me as an employer to participate?
There are no upfront costs, though there is a time commitment from employers. The Maine Career Exploration Program pays young people for up to 75 hours to work in your business. There is no wage, insurance, or liability cost to you!

Are there any jobs a young person cannot do in the workplace?
Yes, all jobs must comply with local, state, and federal laws. A more comprehensive list can of prohibited jobs can be found here.

Get Started!

How do I get started as an employer?

To get started, complete the Employer Onboarding Form. This helps the Maine Career Exploration Program (MCEP) understand your work experience opportunity. Once we receive your form, a team member will reach out with next steps.

You can also:

• Review our Employer Handbook, which includes best practices and a toolkit for hosting interns.

• Connect with local schools or adult education programs to offer an Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO).

• If a young person has already expressed interest in working with you, complete the onboarding survey and contact Manpower (our payment and placement partner) for guidance.

How do I find a young person to host?

There are two main ways to connect with a young person, ages 16-24:

1.   Proactive outreach – Reach out to local high schools, adult ed programs or colleges to explore offering a work experience through your business.
2.   Student-initiated – If a student identifies your business as a host site, you’ll complete the onboarding survey and Manpower will guide you through the next steps.

What needs to be included in a young person’s work experience?

Each work experience or internship should provide:

• Real-world learning aligned with the student’s career interests

• Supportive mentorship

• Basic on-the-job training

The MCEP’s Work Experience Opportunity: Best Practices & Toolkit in the Employer Handbook details what should be included in the work experience. Please use this as a guide as you complete the Employer Onboarding Survey. 

Is there a mentorship element in this program?
Yes! We ask that you identify a program mentor within your organization. This is a key part of helping young people explore Maine industries and career opportunities.

What if the job description changes during the work experience?
If anything changes during the work experience, please contact the Program Coordinator you are working with or Manpower to discuss.

My young person has an issue on the job (performance, scheduling, workplace injury, other). What do I do?
Please contact Manpower or your Program Coordinator to discuss.

Can I hire the young person directly at the conclusion of the work experience?
Absolutely! The Maine Career Exploration program’s mission is to connect young people in Maine to the many businesses and organizations, like yours, in an effort to grow our talent. If you decide to hire your intern at the end of the program, it’s considered a success story! Remember that if you are hiring a young person directly, you will need to conduct your regular onboarding paperwork as the young person will no longer be covered under the program’s insurance and wages.

What does it mean to be a Preferred Employer Partner with the Maine Career Exploration Program?

• Fully onboarded and vetted by MCEP

• Recognized for providing high-quality work experiences

• Promoted through MCEP marketing to help attract future talent

I know other businesses that want to get involved. How can I share information with them?

Please share your experience with them and direct them to our employer page on our website where they will find the tools and contact information to get started. We appreciate the word of mouth!

I have additional questions! How can I get in touch with the MCEP?
Please contact us here! We look forward to hearing from you.