Latest News

Teaching Apprenticeships Set to Grow Under Expanding Program

An expanded teacher apprenticeship program – designed to bolster Maine’s education workforce and attract more people into the profession – is under construction by Educate Maine.  The program is supported by a new $1.4 million grant from the state Department of Labor through federal dollars allocated to Maine this year. The Teach Maine Center and Maine Career Catalyst, both programs of Educate Maine, will co-design and manage the work for the next 36 months. Educate Maine, in partnership… READ MORE

Semifinalists Selected for Maine Teacher of the Year

Eight exceptional Maine educators are state semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. As members of the 2025 Maine County Teacher of the Year cohort, they embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership in the classroom synonymous with this recognition. These educators serve as ambassadors for their students, colleagues, and school communities, celebrating and elevating the entire teaching profession.   The semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year are:  Julia Edwards 2025… READ MORE

Welcome, Morgen Leighton!

Educate Maine is delighted to welcome Morgen Leighton to the team. Morgen joins EM and Maine Career Catalyst this week as a workforce development specialist. She brings strong knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and experience in community engagement, strategic planning, and multi-sector partnerships.   Morgen's diverse background includes work in the legal field, international nonprofit work in London, and regional workforce development initiatives in Maine… READ MORE

Aquaculture Pioneers program highlighted in news feature

Thanks to our friends at the Portland Press Herald for highlighting Maine's signature aquaculture programs. We were delighted with this fun and thoughtful coverage of a program supporting our state's ocean farmers--and those who want to join the trade. Read more: https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/06/18/maine-leads-the-country-with-first-aquaculture-apprenticeship-program/ (Photo credit The Portland Press Herald)     READ MORE

Childcare, Early Ed Foundational to Maine's Future Economy

Grateful to the Maine Trust for Local News for amplifying our message: quality accessible child care and early childhood education are foundational as we build a robust future economy for Maine. To read: https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/06/12/child-care-education-must-be-top-priorities-for-maine-lawmakers-opinion/   READ MORE

Jason Judd Named to State Workforce Board

Educate Maine’s executive director, Jason Judd, Ed.D., has been confirmed as a new member of the State Workforce Board. The Maine Senate unanimously approved Judd and five other nominees to the employer-led panel, which advises the governor on workforce development policy. "The core work of the State Workforce Board - aligning our economic and workforce development goals - is critically important to Maine people and businesses,” said Board Chair Vaughan Woodruff. “The Board has gained six… READ MORE

The Interns Have Landed!

Employers love interns; every summer brings a fresh crop of workers dedicated to learning more about their companies while plugging workforce gaps in every industry from aquaculture to healthcare, manufacturing to marketing. The bonus? Some of the best could be lured back for permanent positions. For Maine employers, successful internships are a magical mixture of recruitment, high-quality training and an investment in the future. This week 500 new interns launched their summer work experiences… READ MORE

In Biddeford, Beauty Is In the Eye of the Apprentice

One great pathway to a career in beauty and personal care is an apprenticeship in cosmetology. Educate Maine is thrilled to introduce you to Boncoeur, who started this week as our first registered cosmetology apprentice. She is working at Rhona Beauty in Biddeford, and she looks forward to 2,500 hours (or about a year) of experience. One special aspect of her work will be fully inclusive hair experience, working with all types of tresses, including BIPOC hair, which many apprenticeships do not… READ MORE

Celebrating Connections: Submit Your Proposals for Education Symposium 2025

Educate Maine's annual Symposium is the largest gathering of educators and business leaders in Maine. We have opened proposals for presentations at this signature event. We are especially interested in presentations, workshops or seminars on: Learning Beyond the Bell: Learning happens at schools, on the job, and in communities. This track invites sessions on community-based learning, maker culture, internships, and extended learning opportunities (ELOs), including how schools, colleges, and… READ MORE

Aquaculture Pioneers Brave Wind and Rain to Learn the Ropes-Literally!

It may be wet and cold on Maine's rocky coastline, where the winds and rain belie the "spring" calendar date, but 16 Aquaculture Pioneers, all of whom will be apprenticing at ocean farms this summer, braved the conditions to attend AP Bootcamp, where they are learning the ropes--literally!-- of their work experience. Instruction in boating safety, knot-tying and other key skills are taught by experienced professionals over two days on the Midcoast. Educate Maine's Aquaculture Pioneers program… READ MORE