Education
Maine is a world-class education destination where every type of life-long learner is welcome.
Maine public and private educational institutions feature a wide variety of programs designed for traditional or nontraditional undergraduate and graduate students, apprenticeships and internships for professional development, and career-specific training and re-training for adult workers.
Educational attainment is a key determinant of economic success
International students contribute over $80 million to Maine’s economy annually
Colleges and universities support more than 30,000 Maine jobs
Educational institutions are global, looking to attract the best minds when recruiting talent for R&D and academic partnerships.
Welcoming international students offers many benefits, some of which are more easily measurable. In 2024, nearly 2,000 international students were enrolled in Maine schools. International students contribute over $80 million annually to Maine’s economy.
The education sector in Maine provides an important foundation for economic growth and development through global academic partnerships, international student attraction, and workforce development efforts in partnership with local businesses.
Economic growth depends on a skilled workforce. Educational institutions are training partners for Maine companies, offering solutions in many sectors including aquaculture, healthcare, and outdoor recreation.
Workforce Training Program Addressing Rural Healthcare Need
A workforce training program at the University of Maine’s School of Nursing has placed trainees and graduates in rural, medically underserved communities across Maine. Launched to address the need for more family nurse practitioners, the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) program financially supports and educates students willing to work in areas with limited access to health care once they receive their degrees.
Join the Maine Workforce Development Compact
The Maine Workforce Development Compact is comprised of Maine businesses, associations, nonprofits, and municipalities who are committed to working together to solve Maine’s workforce challenges.
For Compact members, training can occur at one of Maine’s community colleges, by a third-party training vendor, or through your own company-based training department. All Maine companies qualify, and there are additional resources available to small- and mid-sized companies.
Join over 1,000 Maine businesses who have signed the compact to provide their employees with expanded workforce training opportunities and scholarships.
Maine Apprenticeship Program
The Maine Apprenticeship Program is a career development program that’s fast, flexible, and proven to yield the skilled workers Maine needs. Apprenticeship is a type of career path guided by industries and offers a win-win for everyone. It’s a great way for companies to train their future workers with a 90% retention rate and for people to get paid while they learn on the job, go to classes, and earn a nationally recognized certificate.
Outdoor Recreation Workforce Initiative
The University of Maine at Farmington recently launched the “Outdoor Recreation Hub” initiative designed to help meet the state’s current and future needs for skilled outdoor recreation professionals. Working with industry leaders, the program will recruit students and provide them with the latest business knowledge, internship experience, and industry connections. Internships are key to helping the industry achieve 10% growth by 2035.
Industry Support
Industry-targeted workforce/education collaboration, connects educators and business people and helps businesses offer meaningful internships through Maine Career Catalyst program
Seeks to accelerate the creation of quality jobs in Maine by investing in three of the state’s globally competitive and high-growth fields and by strengthening Maine’s workforce capacity
Assists in setting up structured yet flexible training programs designed to meet the specific needs of Maine employers through on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction
Partners with Maine companies to equip the workforce with essential tech skills and advance research and development