The Maine Career Pathways program is designed to provide career opportunities in high-demand, high-value occupations for high school students and adult learners.
Students at three school-based organizations across Maine will have new opportunities to pursue credentials in early childhood education and healthcare beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, as a result of nearly $500,000 in Maine Career Pathways (MCP) funding.
This funding was provided by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Maine Department of Labor (DOL), in partnership with the Maine Community College and University of Maine Systems. MCP funding recipients will establish two-year pilot programs that include advising and navigational supports, work-based learning opportunities, and post-secondary coursework credits, ultimately helping high school and adult education students earn a credential in high-demand, high-value occupations.
The 2026-2027 recipients of MCP funding are:
- Lewiston Adult Education: $170,890 for early childhood education
- MSAD 7 (North Haven Community School): $46,000 for early childhood education
- MSAD 35 (Marshwood High School): $224,882 for multiple healthcare occupations
“The Maine Career Pathways initiative is taking a significant step forward with the launch of these pilot programs,” Education Commissioner, Pender Makin said. “With a focus on engaging students in career-connected learning experiences, this initiative benefits students in achieving their career goals while also supporting Maine’s future workforce.”
“Through these partnerships, we’re breaking down the traditional barriers between education and work so Maine students and adult learners can clearly see a fulfilling life here,” Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said. “By creating seamless pathways between education and work, we’re giving learners the skills, experience, and credentials to choose the path that’s right for them—whether that’s continuing their education, launching a career, or doing both.”
From 2023 through 2024, the Maine DOE and DOL worked with representatives from Maine higher education institutions, labor organizations, service providers, business and industry sectors, and others to develop clear career pathways for students through partnerships among high schools, career and technical education (CTE) schools, adult education, and employers in multiple fields. These career pathways were intended to connect existing programming while providing the supports necessary for students to complete their credentials and for employers to place those students in jobs.
Through these pilots, the Maine DOE, DOL, and other partners will review elements of the MCP program, such as work-based learning needs and post-program employment data, to strengthen the program in years to come.
“Being named a recipient of the Maine Career Pathways pilot grant is an incredible opportunity for Lewiston Adult Education,” Jennifer Tiner, Director of Lewiston Adult Education, said. “Our goal is to train high-quality early care professionals to meet the critical workforce needs in Androscoggin County. This new program offers a clear, supported pathway to success, combining industry-recognized credentials and authentic, real-world application opportunities, so our adult learners are prepared for rewarding careers in local classrooms and childcare programs.”
“The Maine Career Pathways pilot program in early childhood education offers small rural schools—especially those in island communities—the opportunity and autonomy to mitigate key workforce challenges in meaningful ways that are responsive to local needs,” Shaun Johnson, Principal of North Haven Community School (MSAD 7), said.
“We are thrilled to be a recipient of this grant and are excited about the opportunities that a robust healthcare pathway will provide for our students,” Heidi Early-Hersey, MSAD 35 Assistant Superintendent of Schools and District Curriculum Director, said. “We are happy to be contributing to continued workforce development in Maine.”
Through this grant, Lewiston Adult Education and MSAD 7 will advise and support adult learners and high school students, respectively, in obtaining a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, allowing recipients to enter the early childhood education field. MSAD 7 program participants will complete their work-based learning experience at Waterman’s Community Center’s Laugh & Learn Preschool on North Haven. Lewiston program participants will work primarily with the local Promise Early Education Center to complete their work-based learning experience.
MSAD 35 will use this grant to help Marshwood High School and other regional students earn healthcare career certifications and clinical experience. Grant funds will allow students to participate in pre-apprenticeship programs in areas such as radiology and phlebotomy, resulting in direct job readiness upon high school graduation. This grant will also allow students to build on one-year healthcare-related experiences at Sanford Regional Technical Center and expand MSAD 35’s Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) programming.
The Maine Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Maine DOL, will support all three MCP funding recipients in exploring how Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models can be integrated into their career pathway pilots to create seamless, employer-driven earn-and-learn opportunities that prepare participants for high-demand occupations.
Maine DOE Newsroom 