Maine High Tech Patriot Program

Offering Great Opportunities For Maine's Young People

MESDA is pleased to be the Principal Partner with the Maine Air National Guard in the Maine High Tech Patriot Program

Many young people graduating from Maine High Schools feel they must leave their homes and the State of Maine for employment, educational opportunity and training in high tech industries.

The Maine High Tech Patriot Program is an opportunity to stay in Maine and receive the best education, hands-on training, experience and professional support available anywhere!

Maine's High Tech Patriots receive a paid apprenticeship to develop and enhance their knowledge and skills in applied technologies, management practices, professional communications and information management.

The Maine High Tech Patriot Program pools the resources and support of three major entities in the State to offer young men and women a means to stay in Maine and maximize employment opportunities in high tech careers.

What is the High Tech Patriot Program?

How & When?

• High School juniors & seniors are eligible
• Enlist at the beginning of senior year
• Perform weekend duty during senior year and earn $150
• Attend basic military & technical training after high school graduation
• Receive hand-on technical training
• Begin 6-12 month paid apprenticeship with local business partner
• Attend college part or full time after completion of apprentice program
• Receive continuing training 1 weekend per month and two weeks per year

Student Benefits

• Receive high tech training while serving their state and country
• Gain college credit for technical training
• Collect an enlistment bonus of up to $5,000 for specific career fields
• Win significant financial support for college
• Earn GI Bill benefits - $282/month for full-time college
• Earn GI Bill benefits - an additional $350/month 'kicker' for specific career fields

Employer Benefits

• Create a pipeline of workers for Maine's TechForce
• Build a corps of high tech professionals for today's workplace
• Create a workforce to attract high tech businesses to Maine
• Access high quality, pre-screened employees
• Support the defense and security of Maine and the nation
• Support MESDA's Brain Gain mission - keep our talented young people in Maine

Maine Benefits

• Investment in Maine people
• Focus on a key sector of Maine's economy
• Support of Governor Baldacci's goal of 60% of high school seniors attending college

Career Specialties

• Computer Aided Drafting & Design
  Perform land and facility surveys, assist engineers in development and documentation of communications, infrastructure projects. Become proficient in CADD, GIS and GPS systems.
  
  
• Wireless System Field Technician
  Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair wireless communications equipment including HF, VHF, UHF, satellite, microwave and wireless LAN systems
  
  
• Management Information Systems Technician
  Install, configure, operate and troubleshoot communications-computer systems. Skill development on hardware, software, data flow, client-server support, network management and administration.
  
  
• Cable-Antenna Communications
  Install, maintain and upgrade telephone, LAN, WAN and wireless distribution systems. Earn knowledge in copper core wire, fiber optics, coax and antenna systems.

High Tech Patriot Business Partners

Principal Partner

• MESDA: Maine's Software and Information Technology Association

Maine Business Partners
• Your Company Name Here