Professional & Workforce

A workforce that is adaptable to changes over time supports the Blue Economy’s resiliency. Explore opportunities below for industry professionals to expand their skills and stay up-to-date with current practices and new research

Explore:

Aquaculture

Coastal Resilience

Energy Production

Fisheries

General

Marine Biotechnology

Marine Transport & Trade

Ocean Data

Ocean Engineering

Aquaculture

Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; researchers; industry partners; working professionals

Program Type: Facility-based training; micro-credential; R&D experience

A photo of people in the wind wave tank facility

Hydrodynamic and wind/wave model testing experience in a 1:50-scale marine testing facility that supports offshore wind, wave energy, aquaculture technology, hull design and coastal infrastructure research.

Learn More about Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

Aquaculture in Shared Waters: Entry-Level Aquaculture Boot Camp

Participants: Beginning aquaculture growers; fishermen; working waterfront participants; entrepreneurs

Program Type: Workshop; training program; industry education

A photo of two people on an aquaculture farm

Entry-level shellfish and seaweed farming training that covers aquaculture basics, business planning and entrepreneurship for people interested in starting or expanding aquaculture ventures.

Learn More about The Aquaculture in Shared Waters: Entry-Level Aquaculture Boot Camp

Aquaculture in Shared Waters

Participants: Fishermen; aquaculture entrepreneurs; working waterfront participants; industry learners

Program Type: Industry training program; extension education

A photo of a person working on a dock next to a boat

Longstanding training program that prepares fishermen and other working waterfront participants to start aquaculture ventures through education, technical support and networking.

Learn More about Aquaculture in Shared Waters

CCAR Aquaculture Teaching Lab

Participants: K-12 classrooms; educators; undergraduate interns; trainees

Program Type: Teaching lab; virtual and hands-on training

Teaching lab used for virtual classroom engagement and in-person hands-on aquaculture training, often connected to internship and experiential learning opportunities.

Learn More about CCAR Aquaculture Teaching Lab

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Programs

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students

Program Type: Degree program; research pathway

A photo of a person working in an engineering lab

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate training in biotechnology, sustainable materials, bioprocessing, biomedical innovation, energy and environmental applications relevant to marine and aquaculture systems.

Learn More about Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Programs

One Health and the Environment Graduate Certificate

Participants: Graduate students; professionals

Program Type: Graduate certificate

Interdisciplinary 12-credit graduate certificate focused on connections among human, animal and environmental health, with relevance to aquatic ecosystems, coastal communities and climate-related challenges.

Learn More about the One Health and the Environment Graduate Certificate

Professional Science Master’s in Marine Sciences

Participants: Graduate students; working professionals

Program Type: Professional Science Master’s degree; internship-based graduate program

Non-thesis professional master’s program combining graduate marine science coursework with an approved internship to prepare students for applied science careers in government, NGOs or industry.

Learn More about The Professional Science Master’s in Marine Sciences

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Micro-credential Pathway

Participants: Adult learners; working professionals; certificate learners

Program Type: Micro-credential pathway; online/flexible training

An illustration of a micro-credential badge for Recirculating Aquaculture

Flexible micro-credential pathway that introduces adult learners to recirculating aquaculture systems and foundational RAS concepts and practices.

Learn More about Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Micro-credential Pathway

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Training

Participants: Adult learners; working professionals; aquaculture trainees

Program Type: Training course; micro-credential pathway

Introductory RAS training for adult learners focused on foundational concepts in recirculating aquaculture systems and designed to connect with micro-credential/badge pathways.

Learn More about Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Training

Seafood HACCP Training

Participants: Seafood processors; food safety professionals; industry learners

Program Type: Food safety training; micro-credential/continuing education

Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point training for seafood processors, providing practical experience in hazard analysis, critical control point identification and HACCP plan development.

Learn More about Seafood HACCP Training

Touch Tank Technician Micro-credential Pathway

Participants: Teen learners; adult learners; undergraduate students; graduate students; outreach staff

Program Type: Micro-credential pathway; experiential outreach training

Micro-credential pathway recognizing skills needed to safely deliver educational touch tank programming and engage audiences with marine organisms and coastal science.

Learn More about Touch Tank Technician Micro-credential Pathway

Coastal Resilience

Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; researchers; industry partners; working professionals

Program Type: Facility-based training; micro-credential; R&D experience

Learn More about Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

Aquaculture in Shared Waters: Entry-Level Aquaculture Boot Camp

Participants: Beginning aquaculture growers; fishermen; working waterfront participants; entrepreneurs

Program Type: Workshop; training program; industry education

Entry-level shellfish and seaweed farming training that covers aquaculture basics, business planning and entrepreneurship for people interested in starting or expanding aquaculture ventures.

Learn More about The Aquaculture in Shared Waters: Entry-Level Aquaculture Boot Camp

Bio-based Composites and Large-Format Additive Manufacturing

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; researchers; working professionals; industry partners

Program Type: R&D facility; micro-credentials; applied research experience

Research and workforce capacity in bio-based composites and large-format additive manufacturing, including renewable feedstocks and advanced materials for marine, infrastructure and manufacturing applications.

Learn More about Bio-based Composites and Large-Format Additive Manufacturing

Civil & Environmental Engineering Degrees and Coastal/Ocean Engineering Coursework

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students

Program Type: Degree program; graduate coursework; research pathway

A photo of a person on a boat with some research equipment

Undergraduate and graduate civil/environmental engineering programs with relevant coastal, ocean, water resources, environmental, structural, geotechnical and transportation engineering coursework and research pathways.

Learn More about Civil & Environmental Engineering Degrees and Coastal/Ocean Engineering Coursework

Graduate Certificate in Climate Science and Adaptation

Participants: Graduate students; working professionals

Program Type: Graduate certificate

Online graduate certificate that helps learners integrate climate science, climate analysis tools, ecosystem/human dimensions and adaptation communication skills into their careers.

Learn More about Graduate Certificate in Climate Science and Adaptation

One Health and the Environment Graduate Certificate

Participants: Graduate students; professionals

Program Type: Graduate certificate

Learn More about the One Health and the Environment Graduate Certificate

Touch Tank Technician Micro-credential Pathway

Participants: Teen learners; adult learners; undergraduate students; graduate students; outreach staff

Program Type: Micro-credential pathway; experiential outreach training

Micro-credential pathway recognizing skills needed to safely deliver educational touch tank programming and engage audiences with marine organisms and coastal science.

Learn More about Touch Tank Technician Micro-credential Pathway

Energy Production

Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; researchers; industry partners; working professionals

Program Type: Facility-based training; micro-credential; R&D experience

Learn More about Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

ASCC Offshore Wind Courses and Micro-credentials

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; working professionals; industry partners

Program Type: Courses; micro-credentials; concentration pathway

Wind/wave model testing microcredential badge

Offshore wind workforce offerings include courses, micro-credentials and concentration pathways that build skills in floating offshore wind, model testing, lab instrumentation and related technologies.

Learn More about ASCC Offshore Wind Courses and Micro-credentials

Fisheries

Lobster Institute Affiliated Faculty Network

Participants: Faculty; researchers; undergraduate and graduate students; agency and partner collaborators

Program Type: Collaborative network; research and outreach partnership

Collaborative faculty network that connects lobster-related expertise across UMaine departments, universities and agencies to support research, student mentoring and stakeholder engagement.

Learn More about The Lobster Institute Affiliated Faculty Network

MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy

Participants: MBA students; working professionals

Program Type: Graduate degree concentration

A photo of a school of fish in the ocean

MBA concentration pairing the MaineMBA core with specialized coursework in aquaculture, fisheries, biotechnology and ocean renewable energy in collaboration with UMaine marine units.

Learn More about The MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy

North American Lobster Science Symposium

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; researchers; agency scientists; industry partners

Program Type: Conference; scientific symposium

A photo of some of the NAL conference attendees

Research symposium highlighting lobster biology, ecology and social science, with opportunities for students and researchers to present and connect across the North American lobster science community.

Learn More about The North American Lobster Science Symposium

One Health and the Environment Graduate Certificate

Participants: Graduate students; professionals

Program Type: Graduate certificate

Learn More about the One Health and the Environment Graduate Certificate

Professional Science Master’s in Marine Sciences

Participants: Graduate students; working professionals

Program Type: Professional Science Master’s degree; internship-based graduate program

Non-thesis professional master’s program combining graduate marine science coursework with an approved internship to prepare students for applied science careers in government, NGOs or industry.

Learn More about The Professional Science Master’s in Marine Sciences

Seafood HACCP Training

Participants: Seafood processors; food safety professionals; industry learners

Program Type: Food safety training; micro-credential/continuing education

Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point training for seafood processors, providing practical experience in hazard analysis, critical control point identification and HACCP plan development.

Learn More about Seafood HACCP Training

U.S.-Canada Lobster Town Meeting

Participants: Industry members; scientists; policymakers; undergraduate and graduate students; stakeholders

Program Type: Conference; industry convening

Annual cross-border meeting where harvesters, dealers, processors, scientists and policymakers discuss current issues affecting the lobster industry and resource.

Learn More about the U.S.-Canada Lobster Town Meeting

General

Black Bear Consulting Corps

Participants: Undergraduate students; Maine small businesses and startups

Program Type: Micro-internship; consulting program

A photo of students standing outside the Foster Center for Innovation

Academic-year micro-internship program that pairs teams of vetted students with Maine companies to complete short-term business, market, innovation and commercialization projects.

Learn More about Black Bear Consulting Corps

Building Your Virtual Facilitation Skills

Participants: Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, managers, trainers, facilitators, consultants, analysts, and others who work with virtual groups

Program Type: Professional development course; virtual training; continuing education/micro-credential opportunity

Synchronous virtual facilitation course that builds practical skills for leading online groups, increasing engagement, managing process challenges, and adapting facilitation tools to virtual environments.

Learn More about Building Your Virtual Facilitation Skills

Facilitation Skills Training

Participants: Professionals; community leaders; undergraduate and graduate students; facilitators; agency, municipal, nonprofit, and industry partners

Program Type: Professional development training; facilitation training

Professional and community training program developed by Maine Sea Grant and UMaine Cooperative Extension to help participants build facilitation skills for stronger groups, more effective meetings, and collaborative decision-making.

Learn More about Facilitation Skills Training

MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy

Participants: MBA students; working professionals

Program Type: Graduate degree concentration

MBA concentration pairing the MaineMBA core with specialized coursework in aquaculture, fisheries, biotechnology and ocean renewable energy in collaboration with UMaine marine units.

Learn More about The MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy

Maine Sea Grant Undergraduate Scholarship in Marine Sciences

Participants: Undergraduate students in their second or third year at participating Maine institutions; students in marine science, fisheries, engineering, communications, anthropology, economics, and related coastal fields

Program Type: Undergraduate scholarship; professional development opportunity

Annual scholarship program supporting undergraduate students pursuing marine or coastal studies, with professional development expectations such as attending events, connecting with Sea Grant researchers or staff, contributing outreach products, or presenting a poster.

Learn More about The Maine Sea Grant Undergraduate Scholarship in Marine Sciences

Marine Biotechnology

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students

Program Type: Degree program; research pathway

Biomedical Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate pathways focused on biomedical innovation, healthcare technology, biomaterials, sensors and research that can intersect with marine biotechnology and bio-based applications.

Learn More about Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Programs

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students

Program Type: Degree program; research pathway

Learn More about Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Programs

MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy

Participants: MBA students; working professionals

Program Type: Graduate degree concentration

MBA concentration pairing the MaineMBA core with specialized coursework in aquaculture, fisheries, biotechnology and ocean renewable energy in collaboration with UMaine marine units.

Learn More about The MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy

Marine Transport & Trade

ASCC Additive Manufacturing and 3D-Printed Vessel Training

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; working professionals; industry partners

Program Type: Micro-credentials; R&D training; hands-on manufacturing experience

A photo of people on a 3D printed boat in a wave tank

Hands-on training and R&D exposure in large-scale additive manufacturing, including 3D-printed vessels such as 3Dirigo and related marine tooling/logistics applications.

Learn More about ASCC Additive Manufacturing and 3D-Printed Vessel Training

Bio-based Composites and Large-Format Additive Manufacturing

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; researchers; working professionals; industry partners

Program Type: R&D facility; micro-credentials; applied research experience

Learn More about Bio-based Composites and Large-Format Additive Manufacturing

Factory of the Future Boatbuilding and Marine Manufacturing Capacity

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; working professionals; industry partners

Program Type: R&D facility; workforce development asset; industry partnership

Advanced manufacturing capacity supporting workforce exposure, prototyping and industry collaboration for boatbuilding, marine tooling and next-generation manufacturing applications.

Learn More about Factory of the Future Boatbuilding and Marine Manufacturing Capacity

Ocean Data

Data Science and Engineering Graduate Certificate

Participants: Graduate students; working professionals

Program Type: Graduate certificate

A photo of a person looking at two computer screens

Fifteen-credit graduate certificate, offered online or on campus, that builds skills in managing and analyzing complex data and prepares learners for data science and engineering roles.

Learn More about Data Science and Engineering Graduate Certificate

GIS, Spatial Computing and Spatial Information Science Programs

Participants: Graduate students; online learners; working professionals

Program Type: Graduate certificate; M.S.; Ph.D.; online graduate programs

A photo of two people looking at a monitor

SCIS offers online and on-campus graduate training in GIS, spatial computing, spatial information science and engineering, information systems, data science, databases, sensor networks and GeoAI.

Learn More about GIS, Spatial Computing and Spatial Information Science Programs

Professional Science Master’s in Marine Sciences

Participants: Graduate students; working professionals

Program Type: Professional Science Master’s degree; internship-based graduate program

Non-thesis professional master’s program combining graduate marine science coursework with an approved internship to prepare students for applied science careers in government, NGOs or industry.

Learn More about The Professional Science Master’s in Marine Sciences

Ocean Engineering

Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; researchers; industry partners; working professionals

Program Type: Facility-based training; micro-credential; R&D experience

Learn More about Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab Model Testing Experience

ASCC Offshore Wind Courses and Micro-credentials

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students; working professionals; industry partners

Program Type: Courses; micro-credentials; concentration pathway

Learn More about ASCC Offshore Wind Courses and Micro-credentials

Civil & Environmental Engineering Degrees and Coastal/Ocean Engineering Coursework

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students

Program Type: Degree program; graduate coursework; research pathway

Learn More about Civil & Environmental Engineering Degrees and Coastal/Ocean Engineering Coursework

MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy

Participants: MBA students; working professionals

Program Type: Graduate degree concentration

MBA concentration pairing the MaineMBA core with specialized coursework in aquaculture, fisheries, biotechnology and ocean renewable energy in collaboration with UMaine marine units.

Learn More about The MaineMBA Concentration in Blue Economy