Apprenticeships
Maine.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
Maine · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 918 total
+3 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 3 metro areas in Maine. Apprentices start at ~40–50% and graduate to full journeyman scale.
Verified Programs
Manually confirmed by PlumbSquare — application status current as of research date
We haven't manually confirmed programs in Maine yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Maine with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 24 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IBEW567, Portland Electrical JATC Union/Labor | Lewiston | Electrician | 138 | UNION |
Cianbro Employer | Pittsfield | ElectricianPipefitter/SteamfitterLine Worker+2 | 123 | non-union |
Associated General Contractors of Maine, Inc. Intermediary | Augusta | LaborerOperating EngineerCarpenter+1 | 117 | non-union |
IBEW1253, Augusta Electrical JATC Union/Labor | Newport | Electrician | 91 | UNION |
General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works Employer | Bath | ElectricianIronworkerHVAC Technician+3 | 83 | non-union |
Revision Energy, Inc. Employer | South Portland | Electrician | 52 | non-union |
Maine Association of Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors, Inc Business Association | Cumberland | Plumber | 49 | non-union |
Washington County Community College Community College/University | Calais | Laborer | 47 | non-union |
Educate Maine | Portland | HVAC TechnicianLaborerCarpenter+2 | 44 | non-union |
Associated Builders & Contractors of Maine, Inc. Business Association | Auburn | Painter/FinisherElectricianCarpenter+1 | 37 | non-union |
Industrial Roofing Company | Lewiston | Roofer | 36 | non-union |
North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund - Maine | Portland | Carpenter | 35 | non-union |
Lewiston Public Schools | Lewiston | Roofer | 30 | non-union |
Ironworkers Local 7 JATC Union/Labor | Clinton | Ironworker | 27 | UNION |
Maine Department of Corrections Apprenticeship Office/Mt. View State Agency | Charleston | Carpenter | 24 | non-union |
Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 716 Union/Labor | Augusta | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumberHVAC Technician | 22 | UNION |
Casco Bay Electric, LLC Employer | Portland | Electrician | 20 | non-union |
DeBlois Electric, Inc. | Lewiston | Electrician | 13 | non-union |
Gifford Electric | Brewer | Electrician | 13 | non-union |
Foster Career and Technical Education Center | Farmington | ElectricianPlumber | 13 | UNION |
Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers Union/Labor | Hopkinton | Laborer | 11 | UNION |
York County Community College | Wells | Electrician | 11 | non-union |
Maine Solar Solutions | Freeport | Electrician | 10 | non-union |
True Enterprises LLC | York | Electrician | 10 | non-union |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Maine may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Maine?
Apply to a JATC or non-union program. Requirements: high school diploma or GED, basic math test, proof of age (18+). Some programs add physical requirements or drug testing. Application windows open and close seasonally — check program status before applying.
Are apprenticeships in Maine free?
Yes. Every DOL-registered apprenticeship is free to attend. Apprentices are employees, not students — you earn a wage from day one. No tuition, no student loans.
Union vs. non-union — which should I choose?
Union JATCs (IBEW, UA, SMART, UBC) typically offer higher wages, defined pension plans, and health insurance. Non-union programs (ABC, IEC) may have faster acceptance and work with open-shop contractors. Both paths are DOL-registered. Apply to both — take whoever accepts you first.
How long is a trade apprenticeship?
Most trades are 4–5 years (8,000–10,000 OJT hours). HVAC programs run 3–4 years. Lineman training is typically 3–4 years with specialized fieldwork. Every year your wage increases — you're earning near journeyman scale by your final year.
Maine Licensing
Maine is an SAA state and is not right-to-work. The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), within the Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation, administers separate boards for electricians, plumbers, and fuel/HVAC work. Apprenticeship programs are robust, particularly in the electrical trade.