CMP Launches Industry-Leading High School Internship Program
This is the first year of the 10-week paid Union Trade Internship Program that will give students real-world electric utility training
Augusta, ME — June 30, 2025 —Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., is proud to host Maine students in the company’s inaugural Union Trade Internship Program. Five students from Somerset Career and Technical Center in Skowhegan will receive hands-on training from frontline union workers in the electric utility industry. This is the first year of the 10-week paid program that includes learning both at the company’s lineworker training facility in Farmingdale and in the field alongside CMP crews.
Interns will gain hands-on experience in fundamental linework skills—including pole climbing, operating a bucket truck, and using essential tools like harnesses, hard hats, climbing belts, and voltage detectors - while strictly avoiding any work with live electrical wires.
This Maine-based internship stems from an Avangrid workforce development initiative that launched in Connecticut in 2023 at CMP’s sister company, United Illuminating (UI). UI’s program was the first of its kind across the energy industry.
“CMP’s Union Internship Program is a powerful example of how we’re investing in the future of Maine’s workforce,” said Joe Purington, President and CEO of CMP.“By recruiting motivated students from right here in Maine, we’re not only sparking interest in a vital skilled trade—we’re also building a strong, local talent pipeline for union jobs paying competitive wages. This program ensures our future workforce is trained to safely operate and maintain the energy grid, which is essential to delivering safe, reliable power to the communities we serve.”
“We’re proud to lead the way in the electric utility industry with this innovative approach to workforce development. These interns will be in the classroom, climbing utility poles, working with our crews daily – it’s the best immersive learning experience,” said David Dufour, Senior Manager of Regional Operations at Central Maine Power. “These students are gaining real-world experience, learning valuable skills, and opening the door to rewarding careers. It’s a win for them, for CMP, and for our customers across the state. Congratulations and welcome to our new interns - let’s get started!”
The first class of students, who are ages 16 and older, were selected following a rigorous recruitment and interview process.
CMP’s Union Trade Internship Program runs through late August.