Maine Marks National Apprenticeship Week by Graduating First Ever Class of Heathcare Apprentices, November 2, 2015

AUGUSTA—Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette will give remarks on the value of apprenticeship and congratulate the first-ever class of healthcare apprentices for nursing in Maine at MaineGeneral Medical Center on Monday, November 2, 2015. She will present certificates of apprenticeship to more than a dozen MaineGeneral nurses.  The commissioner, MaineGeneral staff and graduates will be available to media after the ceremony.  National Apprenticeship Week is November 2–8, 2015. Joan Dolan, director of apprenticeship and strategic partnerships for the department will also be available for interviews about the overall importance of apprenticeship for Maine employers and job seekers. The Maine Apprenticeship Program (MAP) helps mobilize Maine's workforce with structured, on-the-job learning in traditional industries such as construction and manufacturing, as well as new emerging industries such as health care, information technology, energy, telecommunications and more. Students earn while they learn, and often avoid amassing debt while earning degrees in high-demand occupations. The schedule is as follows: 10:30                      Welcome                                         Chuck Hays, CEO, MaineGeneral Health 10:32                    Apprenticeship in Maine                Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette 10:40                    Importance of Apprenticeship to MaineGeneral     Chuck Hays, CEO, MGH                          10:45                    MaineGeneral’s Experience                         Jennifer Riggs, VP, Chief Nursing Officer 10:50                    Experience of a MGMC Apprentice            Naomi Miller, Graduating Apprentice 10:55                    Awarding of Apprenticeship Certificates   When:  Monday, Nov. 2, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.   Where: First Floor Conference Rooms MaineGeneral Alfond Center for Health 35 Medical Center Parkway, Augusta