September 12, 2024 – Portland, ME – The nation’s first-ever accredited aquaculture apprenticeship program is celebrating the graduation of its pilot cohort. This landmark program, accredited by the Maine Department of Labor, was created to address critical workforce gaps in the growing aquaculture industry. Over the past year, six apprentices have completed 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of technical coursework, preparing them for a variety of careers within the aquaculture sector.
The graduation ceremony, which will be held on September 12, 2024 at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, marks a milestone in aquaculture workforce development. Apprentices received comprehensive training, including hands-on experience in farm management, environmental sustainability, and aquaculture operations, setting the stage for leadership roles in the field.
“We are excited to be celebrating the graduation of the first aquaculture apprentices in the nation,” said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman, who is speaking at the graduation ceremony. “With the expansion of registered apprenticeships into new occupations such as this one, both Maine workers and employers are benefitting from this proven 'earn while you learn' training model. Congratulations to the graduates, I look forward to seeing how you use your demonstrated skills to strengthen and leverage the variety of opportunities in Maine’s growing aquaculture sector.”
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) Maine Aquaculture Workforce Development Strategy, a study developed with input from over 60 Maine aquaculture businesses, noted that Maine aquaculture's lack of a trained workforce could jeopardize the sector's future. The strategy identified the creation of a Maine Department of Labor-approved aquaculture apprenticeship program as one of the four pillars for ensuring a skilled and adaptable workforce to drive the sustainable development of aquaculture in Maine.
The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) and GMRI developed the apprenticeship program with funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Award #2022-67037-36260. The program's design was heavily influenced by industry professionals, ensuring their insights were integral to its development. Carissa Maurin, GMRI Aquaculture Program Manager stated, “through this comprehensive approach, the program aims to build a skilled workforce well-equipped to advance sustainable aquaculture in Maine, addressing the industry's growth and resilience needs.” It officially launched in January 2023, attracting over 25 applicants for just six spots. In the second year, interest grew, drawing in more than 60 applicants. This overwhelming response underscores the high demand for structured, hands-on training in aquaculture, as well as the potential for future expansion of the program.
The graduates of this program have already made notable impacts in their respective fields. Katherine Lipp, the first graduate of the program, has transitioned into a farmer community engagement role at the Maine Aquaculture Association. “I am so proud to have completed this program,” Lipp reflected. “As apprentices, we all worked very hard to complete the required hours, and it feels gratifying to end it all with a graduation ceremony. It took a lot of people and effort to make this program a reality, so I think that is worth celebrating.”
This apprenticeship represents a transformative step for Maine’s aquaculture workforce, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of this vital industry. With continued collaboration between the MAA, GMRI, and state and federal agencies, the program is expected to expand and serve as a model for workforce development in the rest of the country. The Maine Department of Labor is committed to supporting innovative solutions that foster the growth of emerging industries and provide valuable career opportunities on the working waterfront for future generations.
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For additional information about the aquaculture apprenticeship program, visit https://maineaqua.org/apprenticeship/ or contact:
Trixie Betz
Outreach & Development Specialist
Maine Aquaculture Association
(207) 622-0136
[email protected]
About the Gulf of Maine Research Institute
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. Located in Portland, Maine, the institute is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
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About the Maine Aquaculture Association
The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) est. 1978, is a nonprofit trade association that advocates for and unites Maine’s finfish, shellfish, and sea vegetable farmers in collaboration with commercial fishing colleagues. MAA’s mission is to support the state’s aquatic growers in developing economically and environmentally sustainable business practices, to promote the benefits of aquaculture in the local food system, and to preserve Maine’s heritage of a vibrant working waterfront.
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