Pre-apprentices, front from left, are Anthony Alberico and Trenton Huff. In back from left are Bryan Butler, Electrical and Instrumentation Planner/Supervisor at Sappi; Michaela LaPorte, Workforce Development, Somerset Career & Technical Center; Amy Herrick, Sappi, Senior Project Manager, Training; Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Dept. of Labor; Megan Welter, Associate Commissioner of Public Education at the Maine Department of Education; and David Dorr, Director of Somerset Career & Technical Center. Submitted photo

SKOWHEGAN — Two graduating Skowhegan Area High School seniors from Somerset Career & Technical Center, Anthony Alberico and Trenton Huff, signed their intent to complete a certified pre-apprenticeship, their first step toward a career as electrical & instrumentation technicians, on May 13 at Sappi’s Somerset Mill.

The signing ceremony celebrated these students and their career goals, and highlighted the pre-apprenticeship to registered apprenticeship pathway that has been created in partnership with Sappi North America and Somerset Career & Technical Center, according to a news release from Maine CareerCenters and Maine Department of Labor.

During the weeklong pre-apprenticeship this summer, graduating seniors will receive job readiness training, OSHA-10 certification, and job shadow experience. Pre-apprentices that successfully complete the program will be guaranteed an interview into Sappi North America’s Electrical & Instrumentation Technician’s apprenticeship program.

Those that are accepted as apprentices will continue their career pathway by earning a degree through the Maine Community College System while they work as paid apprentices. This pre-apprenticeship pathway links students in Maine to good-paying jobs and higher education.

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