LEWISTON — A new $1.18 million federal workforce development grant may open doors for aspiring teachers in Franklin and Oxford counties.

Through Community Concepts, the funds will be used to train 30 teaching apprentices over the next three years.

The grant comes as a part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s $49 million Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative across 19 states.

Set to begin in January 2025, 10 teaching apprentices will be hired and trained in Oxford and Franklin counties every year for three consecutive years.

Applicants must be low income, new to the workforce, recently displaced from work, or seeking a career change; have earned either a high school diploma, a General Educational Development certificate, or High School Equivalency Test, known as HiSET.

As rural areas continue to face teacher shortages, the apprenticeship program intends to open doors for those who may not have the means to get a teaching degree or certifications.

“Finding qualified staff to work in our early childhood classrooms over the past several years has been a challenge,” Kim Bessette, children’s services director at Community Concepts, said. “The grant will serve Oxford and Franklin counties. So, if folks live anywhere in the two counties and meet the criteria, they will be eligible for the program.”

Regional School Unit 9 in Farmington, as well as the Maine Department of Labor will be involved with the program to identify potential applicants and provide training support.

For more information about the grant and eligibility criteria, contact Bessette at Community Concepts at 207-890-2066.