Maine Proposal to Increase Apprentice Wages Moves Ahead

Maine’s Labor and Housing Committee has approved a proposal designed to increase wages for apprentices.

The Maine Apprenticeship Program facilitates training and education to help fill gaps in the state’s workforce.

Democratic State Sen. Joe Rafferty of Kennebunk has proposed applying at least 75 percent of the program’s funding to apprenticeship programs in which the apprentices earn at least 150 percent of the minimum wage upon completing the apprenticeship agreement.

The Maine Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee passed the proposal by a count of 8-5 on Monday. It will now move on to the full Legislature.

The intent behind this bill is to make Maine’s apprenticeship programs more successful and competitive and to create another incentive to keep the younger generation of Mainers in the State.

Megan Diver

Megan has worked in Maine politics for more than ten years and all of her professional career, having served in many roles for elected officials (including former Secretary of State Charlie Summers), in-house with the Maine Association of REALTORS®, legislative specialist at Pierce Atwood LLP providing lobbying services and support to Pierce Atwood’s government relations clients and most recently senior government relations specialist at the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. Megan currently is the Vice President at the Maine Energy Marketers Association, utilizing her vast knowledge and legislative experience at the State House to represent MEMA on policies relating to the Association and its members.