Thirty local businesses and organizations set up in the Lincoln Academy gym to discuss career options for LA students during the third annual Peter J. Benner Job Fair.

On Wednesday, April 3, Lincoln Academy hosted the third annual Peter J. Benner ‘92 Job Fair in Nelson Bailey Gym. Lincoln Academy students, as well as students from Wiscasset Middle High School and AOS93 eighth grades, were invited to meet local employers.

Representatives from local businesses set up tables and spoke with students about immediate job openings and long-term career paths in their fields. Each organization offered entry level jobs for those that want to move right into trades employment after graduation, as well as multiple career pathways in areas like banking, health care, manufacturing, engineering, design, computer science, marketing, and logistics to name a few. Many participating businesses have openings for weekend and summer employment as well.

Participating businesses were: Back Cove Yachts, Bangor Savings, Bath Savings, Bristol Parks and Rec, CLC Ambulance, CLC YMCA, Coastal Counties Workforce Solutions, Darling Marine Center,  DiMauro Electric, First National Bank, Hagar Enterprises, Hannaford,  Kieve Wavus, Lie-Nielsen Tools, Lincoln County 911, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, LCTV, Lincoln Health, Maine Kayak, Masters Machine, Mid-Coast Energy Systems, Midcoast Federal Credit Union, Mobius, Molnlycke, Padebco Boatyard, Renys, and Washburn Doughty.

Lincoln’s annual career fair was named for Peter Benner, who graduated from LA in 1992. He passed away in February of 2022, and his Lincoln Academy classmates donated in his honor to make this event possible.

Many participating businesses are owned or managed by, or employ LA graduates, and they were happy to meet current students and discuss opportunities in their field. Lincoln Health brought six current employees who are also LA graduates to talk to students about their career paths at Lincoln Health. “They came in the uniform that they wear to work, and represent both clinical and non-clinical jobs,” said Jen Kopp, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner. “We wanted students to know that there are many kinds of jobs at Lincoln Health, and not all of them involve direct patient care.”

Senior Mya Bessey is heading to nursing school next year, and she hopes to live outside of Maine for a while. “But I talked to Lincoln Health today, and I know they will hire me if I want to come home,” she said.

“I already have an internship with the CLC Ambulance,” said Lincoln Academy senior Ethan Barter, who joined the Alna volunteer fire department last year as a junior and “realized that I like helping people.” He plans to study paramedics and fire science next year at Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), and hopes to return to Lincoln County to work in emergency services. At the job fair he talked to Central Lincoln County 911 Dispatch, and Lincoln Health, who both had representatives at the fair.

Bill Morgner, President and Owner of Mid-Coast Energy, says his company is constantly in need of young people to enter the trades. Through Mid-Coast’s Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship programs, young people can work their way through professional licenses in the order that they choose. “We try to match young people with mentors based on their interests,” said Morgner. “Pre-Apprentices can start as soon as junior year, and we are always looking for people.”

LA senior Keegan Bond plans to take advantage of the Mid-Coast Energy apprenticeship program after graduation, and work through their junior apprenticeship program, which both offers hands-on experience and pays for apprentices to get licenses in the trades and they’ll pay for certifications over the next ten years. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his brother Griffen Bond, who graduated from LA in 2022 and is currently pursuing his HVAC certification through the Midcoast Energy apprenticeship program.

“Engaging with adults who aren’t in your immediate sphere can be intimidating and awkward for young people,” Heather D’Ippolito, Director of Community Engagement and Development at Lincoln Academy. “We are so grateful to all of our community partners who made this fair an engaging and welcoming space for students.”

Businesses interested in hiring Lincoln Academy students for summer or post graduate employment can list those opportunities on the online Student Job Board by emailing info@lincolnacademy.org.

Photos below: Local businesses and organizations tabling at the 3rd Annual Peter J. Benner Job Fair at Lincoln Academy. More photos on the LA Flickr page.