ME LD1117

At least 51% of Maine Apprenticeship Program grant funding must go to certified preapprenticeship programs that successfully enroll and place individuals from historically marginalized communities into registered apprenticeships

Priority programs must place graduates in apprenticeships yielding at least $35/hour total compensation upon completion, with annual cost-of-living adjustments starting January 15, 2026

Programs become ineligible for grants if they cannot prove graduates are employed in their field or represented by a labor organization within 6 months of completion

Expanded allowable grant uses include obstacle assistance, service navigation, readiness preparation for on-the-job learning, membership fees, tools, and personal protective equipment

Department of Labor must conduct a study on preapprenticeship and apprenticeship programs and report findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor by December 3, 2025