PRESQUE ISLE – Maine Public Service Co. has announced a new education program designed to keep young adults in Aroostook County for education and future employment.

To counter the loss of the young people, MPS has designed its Career Exploration Program to entice students to continue their higher education in The County and find work locally after they graduate.

The initial program offering will be open to students in the Future Farmers of America program offered at area high schools.

Through an annual competition, three high school juniors and seniors will be chosen to participate in the program.

To qualify, students must enroll in two- or four-year programs at Northern Maine Technical College in Presque Isle, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, or at the local campus of Husson College in Caribou.

Students selected to participate in the MPS program will be able to earn up to $10,000 during internships with the company, at which time they will learn about various careers available in electric utilities.

MPS also has committed to providing preferred hiring status with the company to program participants who graduate, if a position is available, or to help those students find quality jobs in northern Maine.

For more information, call 768-5811.