The Maine Department of Education has awarded over $5.6 million to 26 school districts, schools, adult education programs, and higher education institutions to create or expand extended learning opportunities for students, which include 75 hours of paid work experience. 

What is an Extended Learning Opportunity? They are a way for students to gain knowledge and skills, using defined objectives, through flexible instruction or study outside of the traditional classroom methodology.

Employers interested in hosting a young person for a paid work experience are encouraged to connect with their local schools and community-based organizations and together, they can create successful Extended Learning Opportunities!

Extended Learning Opportunities could be: 

Job Shadows | Internships | Mentorship | Apprenticeships | Digital Learning | Independent Study | Community Service | Work-based Learning 

Funding from the Career Exploration Program also supports the expansion of Extended Learning Opportunities, paid work experiences, and coaching now offered by Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) for rising juniors and seniors at 90 high schools. Students can earn a Maine Career Exploration Badge when they participate in 40 hours of meaningful work experiences facilitated through an intentionally designed exploration and reflection process. Students receive an academic award of $500 upon completion. The mission of JMG is to identify students who face barriers to education, and to guide each one on to a successful path toward continued education, a meaningful career, and productive adulthood.

The program is supported by Manpower which works closely with dedicated Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Coordinators and businesses to successfully onboard young people. On their website, they have the forms needed for employers interested in offering work opportunities as part of the Maine Career Exploration Work Experience Program.