The Maryland Emergency Management Registered Apprenticeship Program (MEMRAP) proposed by Frederick Community College (FCC) and the Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management (MACEM) was recently approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship Training Commission (MATC).

MACEM developed the Registered Apprenticeship program in partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s (DLLR) Apprenticeship and Training Program, which announced the approval.

The apprenticeship program, the first-of-its kind in the Maryland, will fill a gap in the state’s emergency management workforce and provide employers with a trained pool of potential employees. The non-traditional apprenticeship program will develop a cadre of well-rounded, experienced, trained, and educated apprentices, and marks Maryland as just the second state with such a program.

According to Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz, "The creation of this first-in-Maryland emergency management apprenticeship program will help fill these vital occupations by broadening our pool of qualified candidates. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate in support of Maryland’s emergency management industry."

The program will combine academic courses with on-the-job training completed at the employer’s work site. It is geared toward individuals looking to gain full-time employment and academic credentials in the field of emergency management. The program will help transfer knowledge of public safety from generation to generation, helping to build safe and resilient communities.

"We are looking for employers to work with us to develop the next generation of emergency managers," said Kathy Francis, executive director for emergency management at FCC. "Many different professions require emergency management capabilities, and connecting motivated students with employers looking to expand their emergency management capabilities is a win-win."

The apprenticeship program is a partnership with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, University of Maryland University College, Montgomery College, and Anne Arundel Community College along with Maryland local government and private sector employers.

Employers who are interested in learning more about becoming a partner in this program should contact Kathy Francis by email or 240-629-7804.