The Maine Career Exploration program is a $25 million, two-year initiative and part of the Governor’s Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan , approved by the Legislature to invest nearly $1 billion in Federal American Rescue Plan funds to improve the lives of Maine people and families, help businesses, create good-paying jobs, and build an economy poised for future prosperity. Maine Career Exploration will connect 6,000 young people in Maine to future career opportunities by funding paid work experiences with employers across the state.
Through these paid work experiences, the Maine Career Exploration program will enable thousands of students to enter the labor force in fields of their interest through work opportunities with Maine employers. In addition to work experience, students may also earn education credits through the program.
The Maine Career Exploration program is a recommendation of Maine’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy (PDF), unveiled by Governor Mills in 2019, to support Maine’s goal of adding 75,000 workers to Maine’s workforce by 2030. The program is led by the Department of Economic and Community Development in partnership with the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Governor’s Children Cabinet.
The Maine Career Exploration Program allows Maine employers and students to work together to strengthen Maine’s workforce. By providing students with career experiences, businesses can educate and attract Maine’s youth to their industries, creating potential recruitment prospects, a pipeline of possibility for the state’s economic future, and demonstrate to our youth that there is opportunity for them in Maine!
Maine Career Exploration will introduce thousands of Maine students to future employment options and prepare them to succeed in careers right here in Maine, strengthening our workforce over the long term and supporting our business communities.
Our Program Values
Are you an Employer or Organization looking to connect young people in Maine to opportunities at your workplace?
We are looking for Maine businesses wanting to be involved with Maine Career Exploration! We can pay up to 75 hours for a student’s work experience with your company – to learn more, simply fill out the Employer Sign Up form linked below.
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Student Testimony
