Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 232 - STANDARD CRITERIA FOR MAINE SECONDARY VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS › Appendix 071-232-B

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
FIELD PLACEMENTS
Various types of field placements are utilized in secondary
				  vocational programming.
All activity in the workplace is governed by State and/or
				  Federal Departments of Labor. A publication entitled
Child Labor
				  Law and School Work
, Maine Department of Education, 1988,
				  identifies key issues for compliance by schools and the workplace. This
				  document should be reviewed before placing any student in a work
				  situation.
Identified below are some of the field-based activities
				  utilized in secondary vocational education.
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
A joint venture between schools and industry to assist
				  students in pursuing career objectives in conjunction with their school
				  studies. Students are placed in work settings during the school day in
				  accordance with employer training plans and are paid applicable wage rates.
				  Forms are provided to the schools by the Bureau of Adult and Secondary
				  Vocational Education and are submitted to the Bureau of Labor Standards by the
				  school for approval. There are limited provisions for variations from the
				  normal Labor law restrictions. An employer-employee relationship exists.
				  Jurisdiction rests with the labor departments.
JOB SHADOWING
An unpaid, short-term placement in which students observe
				  incumbent workers at their workplace. No work is performed by the student. Time
				  involved is usually no more than ten hours and in no case may be for more than
				  forty hours. No employer - employee relationship exists; jurisdiction rests
				  with the school.
FIELD TRAINING
Students participate in Learning activities away from the
				  normal school setting. Academic, as well as hands-on, training may take place.
				  Students are accompanied by an instructor at all times. Learning is the primary
				  objective, not productivity. No employer-employee relationship exists and the
				  program operates under the jurisdiction of the school.
Examples are the building construction students who build a
				  structure on a site away from the school under the direction of the program
				  instructor, or the health occupations program that conducts the clinical
				  experience in a health care facility under the direct supervision of the
				  licensed instructor.
TRAINEE
A student is placed into a training site under the
				  supervision of an employer of that training site.
There are six points which must be met for this to be
				  acceptable to the labor bureaus. There is also a maximum 40 hour limit on this
				  activity.
Note that state and federal agencies do not address this in
				  the same manner. Refer to the Department of Labor publication referenced on the
				  previous page for detailed information on this topic.
Jurisdiction rests with the labor departments) because the
				  training activity may result in employment and/or production activity and
				  because it is in effect a variation of the labor law.
Commissioner's Informational Letter #36. April
				  1985.
This letter requires that all school/work programs be
				  registered with the Maine State Bureau of Labor Standards. This requirement
				  applies whether the student is being paid or not. Additional information may be
				  obtained by contacting the Bureau of Labor Standards, State House Station #45,
				  Augusta, Me 04333, Attention: Supervisor of Employment
				  Standards.