Maine Career Pathways

 

The Maine Department of Education serves as the point of contact for the Maine Career Pathways (MCP) program, a statewide collaboration of state agencies, higher education institutions, and other entities, formed to provide career opportunities in high demand and high value occupations for secondary school students and adult learners. The creation of this collaboration reflects Action A.4. of Maine's Economic Development Strategy, which states the need to “establish clear career pathways through partnerships between schools, technical centers, and employers to help students and workers navigate toward high-demand sectors.” 

Individuals are supported with navigational and advising supports and utilize postsecondary credit-bearing opportunities and work-based learning experiences with business or industry sectors, leading to credential attainment and a job placement.

MCP has adopted the career pathways framework endorsed by the National Governors Association (NGA) by which individuals are provided advising and navigational supports to earn postsecondary credits and participate in work-based learning opportunities, which leads to a credential that allows them to enter the workforce.

In 2023-2024, with technical assistance from the National Governors Association, representatives from Maine higher education institutions, state agencies, service providers, business and industry sectors, and others, developed pathway designs for multiple occupational fields using the career pathways framework. The goal was to connect existing programs and scale what works. A particular focus was to consider the navigational and other support necessary to assist participants in completing a credential while meeting the needs of both the students and employers.

The Maine Department of Education (Department) will be seeking applications to pilot multiple career pathways using the Maine Career Pathways framework. The first RFA cycle will seek applications for Early Childhood and Infrastructure/Trades pathways.

Eligible applicants will include school administrative units (SAUs), high schools, career and technical Schools, adult education programs, as well as community-based organizations. 

 

Resources