Latest News

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

Welcome 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year!

Maine's newest cohort of County Teachers of the Year were honored at the State Capitol, in a ceremony that featured Gov. Janet Mills, state legislators,  dozens of proud family members and friends and special guests--last year's cohort of CTOYS. The group inducted today were the 12th batch of county honorees. The 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be chosen from this group.  The MTOY/CTOY program is operated by Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education.  Go here to learn… READ MORE

Maine Educators Have `Transformative' Opportunity in Costa Rica

What happens when you drop a bunch of Maine educators off in Costa Rica, make them put away their phones, and present them with: •    Cultural immersion•    Challenging physical/outdoor activities•    Close group dynamics—for a week Shades of “Survivor”?  Not exactly! What does happen is outstanding professional and personal development, new resolve to embrace uncertainty and step outside comfort zones, and lifelong bonds of friendship with your group. These were the… READ MORE