Rocky Coastal Electric, an electrical contracting company in the Lewiston-Auburn area of Maine, has formalized a mentorship program that reserves a permanent spot on its crew for someone new to the electrical trade. The initiative, announced by owner Corey Hunt, a Master Electrician who founded the company in March 2023, aims to provide a structured path from helper to licensed electrician through hands-on work assignments rather than classroom instruction.
The program reflects Hunt’s own career trajectory, which began in 2014 as a helper on solar installations in Massachusetts. He later worked for a company called ESM before earning his Master Electrician license and joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), where he traveled the country working with various union locals. Hunt credits his success to people who allowed him to learn by doing, and he now seeks to offer that same opportunity to others.
“I got where I am because people ahead of me were willing to show me things instead of just handing me a task list,” Hunt said. “That’s the same reason I keep a spot open on my crew for somebody starting out. It costs me time up front. It pays back for years.”
The mentorship track consists of three components. First, new hires are paired directly with experienced electricians on every job until they can perform smaller tasks independently. Second, Hunt tracks each mentee’s hours and skills against Maine’s licensing requirements, ensuring their on-the-job work counts toward advancement. Third, regular one-on-one check-ins allow Hunt to address what is working and what needs more attention.
Hunt emphasizes the importance of balancing real-world experience with guidance. “I don’t think you can build a good electrician by just letting them figure it out alone,” he said. “You also don’t build one by keeping them off real jobs too long. The balance is putting them next to someone who will correct their mistakes before those mistakes cost a homeowner money.”
This approach stands in contrast to treating apprentices as temporary labor. Instead, Hunt structures their time with a clear progression from helper to tradesman. Rocky Coastal Electric is not a large company, and Hunt is direct about the program’s scale: there will not be a large class of trainees at once. The commitment is to keep the door open consistently for the Lewiston-Auburn area rather than conducting a one-time hiring push.
“I’d rather do this slow and do it right,” Hunt said. “One person who actually becomes a good electrician is worth more to me than filling seats.”
Looking ahead, Hunt plans to maintain the mentorship slot as the company grows, adding a second mentee position once workload supports it. His goal is not just a bigger business but one that gives others in the area the same kind of start he had.
This initiative matters because the skilled trades face a persistent shortage of qualified workers, particularly in rural areas. By creating a structured, earn-while-you-learn pathway, Rocky Coastal Electric demonstrates how small businesses can address workforce gaps without large-scale programs. For residents of Lewiston-Auburn, it offers a tangible route to a stable, well-paying career. For the industry, it highlights the value of mentorship in sustaining the electrical trade and ensuring safe, high-quality work for homeowners.
