The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) and Commissioner Laura Fortman are set to announce the launch of the University of Maine at Augusta’s (UMA) cybersecurity and IT registered apprenticeship (RA) program. The announcement will take place on September 28th from 1-3pm ET during an event hosted on the UMA campus. The program aims to provide employers with an efficient way of recruiting and training new hires through UMA’s RA program, as well as upskilling existing employees in critical cybersecurity skills.
Employers, Human Resource leaders, local workforce board and America Job Center (AJC) staff, and education leaders are encouraged to register and attend the event to learn how they can work with UMA’s MDOL-approved RA program to meet the workforce needs in IT and cybersecurity in Maine. The event will feature a panel of subject matter experts from Safal Partners, the US Department of Labor (DOL) National Industry Intermediary for cybersecurity apprenticeship expansion, and current Maine employers who will discuss promising practices when using apprenticeship as a workforce development model.
Katie Adams, Chief Delivery Officer at Safal Partners, explains that UMA’s sponsored RA program provides Maine employers across every sector with access to high-quality, industry-aligned training opportunities. These opportunities allow for upskilling current employees and broadening the potential talent pipeline for new hiring. The program has proven to generate positive return on investment, increase diversity, and lower costly employee turnover rates.
Registered Apprenticeship is a proven model for workforce development, offering financial benefits for organizations. According to the US DOL, 93% of apprentices are retained by organizations after completing the RA program, compared to only 55.5% of interns. Organizations also earn an average 44% return on investment ($144 for every $100 spent) on their RA program.
Dr. Wendy Kostenbauder, Program Manager with MDOL’s Maine Apprenticeship Program, highlights the benefits of joining UMA’s RA program. This opportunity allows Maine businesses to become employers of choice, offering training to their employees in new and essential occupations. The program supports recruiting, training, and retaining a stronger and more diverse talent pipeline.
Apprenticeship programs are highly recommended by 97% of companies with RA programs as a talent solution. Apprenticeship program completers also earn an average of $300,000 more than their non-apprentice peers over the course of their careers, according to DOL data.
For those interested in learning more about UMA’s RA program, they can contact Michele Weymouth at [email protected]
Safal Partners, a mission-driven consulting firm, is working to expand and modernize registered apprenticeship programs. The firm has contracts and grants with the US Department of Labor and serves as the DOL National Industry Intermediary for Cybersecurity Apprenticeship. They also lead the DOL RA TA Center of Excellence for Strategic Partnerships and System Alignment.
For more information about Safal Partners, visit safalpartners.com.
SOURCE Safal Partners