Workforce Talent Team

WORKFORCE & TALENT DEVELOPMENT TEAM

MISSION STATEMENT

To understand the current and future workforce needs and opportunities of Maine’s marine resource economy, related to existing and new market opportunities, and to develop strategies to sustain, strengthen, and grow the workforce.

PROJECT GOALS

Important to the marine resources economy’s competitiveness and growth is the ability to match the supply of skilled workers with the workforce demand of industry. This subcommittee will identify current and future workforce needs, build on existing workforce efforts in the sector, and develop an action plan to sustain and grow the workforce for the future of the marine resource economy. This will include identifying the skills required for existing and new opportunities, ensuring current workers have the skills they need, and the sector is well positioned to attract and prepare the necessary workforce for emerging technology, new products and opportunities. This group will identify the training and skills development opportunities, the credentials of value for the industries, and ways to attract and connect talent to opportunity.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

PRIMARY AREAS OF INTEREST

Continued alignment with Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee
Workforce needs of other subcommittees, especially the New Opportunities and Emerging Technologies Subcommittee
Strategies to attract and retain workers in a post-COVID Maine
In-demand jobs, gaps, emerging jobs
Pathways for workers through CTE (Career/Technical Education – high school), Community College System, Universities
Industry health and safety
Increased investment in this sector
Working waterfront infrastructure (including social infrastructure/coastal communities)
Cost barriers – health care, turnover, etc.

OUTCOME:

To provide the necessary knowledge to develop a comprehensive workforce strategy(s) that supports long-term competitiveness and growth in Maine’s marine resource sector and economy and achieves the goals of the SEA Maine initiative. Maine’s existing and emerging seafood species and seafood products provide opportunities for new and expanded seafood businesses, a more diverse seafood economy, high value exports, and increased jobs and wages along the coast. This includes aligning the current and future seafood economy workforce needs with Maine’s Career and Technical Education Centers (CTE), Community Colleges and Universities, apprenticeships and other on the job training programs.