Maine Department of Labor

11/03/2026

**What to Know About Wages, Part 1**
Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Have questions about pay for your employees? Join us to learn more about minimum wage, minimum salary, overtime (including limits and exemptions), tips and tip pooling. This is the first of a two-part series on wages. Part 2 will cover other wage requirements.

No registration required.
Learn more and join online: https://www.maine.gov/labor/bls/tt/112026/

The Maine Department of Labor provides equal opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available to people with disabilities upon request.

11/03/2026

In observance of Veterans Day, State offices are closed.
November 11, 2026
Thank you for your service!

11/03/2026

Need healthcare insurance? It's Open Enrollment Time. There are many resources to help.

Health insurance Open Enrollment kicks off TODAY and we’re locked in to help you navigate everything.

First things first. Financial savings! ✅

CoverME.gov enrollees who qualify for financial savings pay an average monthly premium of just $178 for a high-quality health insurance plan. That's over $750/month in savings compared to the retail price.
🎉
Your specific cost will depend on your circumstances and the plan you choose, but it's 💯 worth it to find out if you qualify for savings.

Learn more and get help with enrollment at CoverME.gov.

11/03/2026

The grant supports a 5-year initiative to connect students to career experiences and mentorship.

11/03/2026

We can add even more to this total for certain manufacturing businesses.

Stack on an American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive ($3,500) and another up to $8,000 from the Maine Defense and Manufacturing Training Fund and your total could get up to $14,700 per employee.

Get started here:
https://www.worksourcemaine.com/training-fund

"Maine Employers: Make every training dollar count.

If your company is looking to maximize your investment in workforce training and retention, there's a powerful opportunity to combine the Maine Workforce Development Compact and the Dirigo Business Incentive through Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Here's how it works:
◼ Through the Maine Workforce Development Compact, eligible employers can receive a 50% reimbursement on frontline employee training costs (up to $1,200 per employee per year).
◼ At the same time, the Dirigo Business Incentive allows eligible employers in key sectors to claim up to $2,000 in tax credits per employee per year for investment in training.
◼ Combine the two, and you can significantly offset the cost of upskilling your workforce and building retention, engagement, and capability.

Getting started is free and straightforward. Visit https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/dirigo-and-compact for more information and complete your application today."

10/29/2026

Great program. Thinking about your future career? Consider apprenticeship. All ages welcome. Find out more here https://apprenticeship.maine.gov/

The Maine AFL-CIO’s Union Construction Academy, Maine Labor Climate Council and IBEW Local 1253’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee have partnered on a new pre-apprenticeship program for Maine tribal members to get certified in residential heat pump installation.

Passamaquoddy tribal member Cheyanne Lewey learned of the program from a flyer she saw where she lives on the Indian Township reservation. At the time she was working at Dunkin’ Donuts, but wanted to pursue a career in the trades.

“It's pretty exciting to be taking this course because I had tried going to community college for [HVAC] and I just couldn't make it work,” said Lewey. “I came into this program with like no HVAC experience prior to this, but it's been really exciting. I got my Universal 608 [HVAC certification], so I can start doing more hands-on HVAC, working with industrial and small appliances that retain refrigerant and heat pumps.”

Learn more at the link in our bio!

10/29/2026

🚀 Maine’s space economy is taking shape — and Maine businesses have an opportunity to be part of it.

The 2026 Maine Launch Summit, hosted by the Maine Space Corporation, will bring together industry leaders, manufacturers, researchers, educators, investors, and economic development partners to explore the future of Maine’s space industry.

📅 November 5–6, 2026

📍 The Roux Institute, Northeastern University, Portland
The summit will explore opportunities across aerospace, advanced manufacturing, maritime operations, supply chain development, and workforce training — with a focus on building an ecosystem that creates long-term economic growth for Maine.

For Maine manufacturers and businesses looking to expand into new markets, the growing space industry could offer new opportunities for partnerships, contracts, and business growth.

Learn more about the summit and registration:
https://www.mainespacecorp.org/maine-space-2030/maine-space-conference/

"

10/29/2026

Attention manufacturers! Learn about incentives and funding that will help your future.

🏭 MAKE IT IN MAINE: Workforce Resources for Maine Manufacturers

As Manufacturing Month comes to a close, join the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce for a FREE webinar highlighting valuable workforce resources available to Maine manufacturers!

📅 Friday, October 30, 2026
🕐 1:00 – 2:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom

Finding, training, and retaining skilled workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing Maine manufacturers. Fortunately, a variety of funding opportunities, training programs, and tax incentives are available to help businesses build and strengthen their workforce.

In just one hour, discover resources that can help your business:

✅ Access no-cost workforce training through a new $5 million federal grant supporting manufacturing skills development at Maine's community colleges.

✅ Maximize Maine Workforce Development Compact benefits to support training for new and existing employees.

✅ Leverage the Dirigo Business Incentive to earn state tax credits for qualifying employee training and capital investments.

✅ Explore the Defense & Manufacturing Training Fund, offering up to $8,000 per employee and $250,000 in reimbursement for eligible workforce training expenses.

✅ Build your talent pipeline through registered apprenticeships and develop skilled workers from within.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn how these programs can work together to support your business's growth and workforce needs.

Join us as we close out Manufacturing Month and help Maine manufacturers build a stronger future!

🔗 Register here: https://alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/manufacturing-training-oct30

10/29/2026

Opportunity doesn’t mean leaving Maine.

Manufacturers across the state need people with technical skills, creative thinking, curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Building awareness of those careers is a critical part of strengthening Maine’s workforce.

Learn more at https://mainemfg.com/manufacturing-month/