National Governors Association selects Maine for initiative connecting youth volunteers to climate careers

February 14, 2025

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2025

National Governors Association selects Maine for initiative connecting youth volunteers to climate careers

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Labor announced today that Maine has been selected by the National Governors Association (NGA) to participate in a new initiative that will help connect youth volunteers to rewarding, in-demand climate careers.

The Service-to-Career Pathways Policy Academy - https://www.nga.org/news/press-releases/six-states-selected-for-nga-center-service-to-career-pathways-policy-academy/, an initiative of the NGA Center for Best Practices, provides states with funding and technical assistance to enhance pathways from volunteer service to employment opportunities. Maine will leverage $50,000 in grant funding to establish new certified pre-apprenticeship pathways for the Maine Climate Corps - https://volunteermaine.gov/serve-in-maine/climate-corps and other youth corps programs, through a partnership among the Maine Department of Labor, the Governor's Energy Office, and Volunteer Maine.

Created in 2023, the Maine Climate Corps Network - https://volunteermaine.gov/index.php/serve-in-maine/climate-corps empowers volunteers to help the state address effects of climate change, in areas such as community and coastal resilience, clean energy, transportation, and housing. This initiative will provide a pathway for volunteers from corps programs into registered apprenticeships for key climate occupations.

"This initiative will empower Maine Climate Corps volunteers to transition their skills, experience, and enthusiasm into meaningful, well-paying careers," said Governor Janet Mills. "These efforts will strengthen Maine's workforce, help to meet demand in fast-growing sectors such as clean energy, and bolster our fight against climate change on Maine."

"Through NGA's Service-to-Career Pathways Policy Academy, Maine will strengthen the connection between essential Maine Climate Corps programs and high-quality climate career opportunities by certifying these programs as pre-apprenticeships," said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. "This coordinated effort will create a seamless entry point for Maine's young adults to connect with registered apprenticeships, build the climate workforce pipeline, and provide participants the opportunity for continued growth through upskilling and advancement."

"The National Governor's Association's Service-to-Career Pathways funding expands opportunities for Service Corps Members in Maine to engage in meaningful career development while they serve," said Maryalice Crofton, Executive Director of Volunteer Maine. "While Member development has always been a feature of AmeriCorps and similar state programs, this grant provides resources to identify specific pathways and add certification and credentialing to the Member experience."

The National Governors Associations press release can be found at https://www.nga.org/news/press-releases/six-states-selected-for-nga-center-service-to-career-pathways-policy-academy/

Learn more about Maine's climate goals in the state's updated four-year climate action plan, Maine Won't Wait - https://www.maine.gov/climateplan/ .