In an effort to meet a projected increase in demand for aquaculture workers in the coming years, Washington County Community College (WCCC) has launched the first two year aquaculture degree in the state. The flexible program is designed to meet industry needs in farming finfish, shellfish and algae, fields in which the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) is anticipating a statewide increase of around 600 workers to a total of 2,200 by 2030.
      "We're in a nice position to be ahead of the growth and fill that workforce need," says Nichole Sawyer, dean of workforce development and community engagement at WCCC. Over the past four years, she's been developing the program alongside Annie Noll of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center (MAIC) in "an incredible partnership" unifying the college with the industry and its goals.
      The effort to design the program was prompted in part by a 2020 study from GMRI that identified needs and opportunities in the state, including the potential for WCCC specifically to help train workers. The school had previously developed a marine technology program, but it was "mostly about capture rather than culture," Sawyer says. The program had low enrollment, which she attributes in part to the pandemic, along with the recognition that "people in the fishery are already experts."
      Based on GMRI's findings, the community college pivoted the program to aquaculture. In addition to a basic introductory course, students can learn everything from water chemistry to marine biology to principles of aquatic animal health. Altogether there are 10 new classes in the program. "It's really inclusive and prepares students to have a wide basis" for a career in aquaculture, Sawyer says.
      The program is designed to be hybrid, with asynchronous or online classes and intensive four to eight hour lab sessions at a local aquaculture facility. The college is sponsoring pre apprenticeship trainings for area employers under the Maine Apprenticeship Program, having sponsored one at Cooke Aquaculture and one at Nautical Farms this past year.
      For Cooke, which supports 200 employees throughout Maine, it's an ideal opportunity. "We're always looking to fill job vacancies, ranging from entry level positions to roles that require aquaculture education and/or experience," says Steven Hedlund, director of public affairs for Cooke USA. "Most of our job vacancies are for fish processing technicians and saltwater marine technicians and deckhands. Finding employees is a challenge."
      Nautical Farms, for its part, "thought [the program] sounded like both a great opportunity for our business as well for the local students in our community and surrounding communities," says owner Morgan Lea Fogg. The farm grows sugar kelp and alaria currently, with up to 10 employees during harvest time. Apart from spreading the word about aquaculture in general, Fogg says they "were excited about the opportunity to increase our workforce through the program and find trained individuals that are excited about getting involved in aquaculture in some capacity."
      At present, enrollment in the aquaculture courses is around 12 students, Sawyer says. Some are already in the industry, while others have advanced degrees in other fields but have developed a passion for aquaculture. Some are area high school teachers who are looking to learn the content before they offer it themselves -- with teachers from Washington Academy in particular working to provide a high school level companion program to prepare students for moving onto advanced studies.
      Along with the potential for earning a two year degree or certificates through the program, students who opt for targeted courses can earn industry recognized badges that indicate their proficiency with particular skills.
      The college is in the process of hiring a full time aquaculture industry coordinator who will travel the state promoting the program and increasing awareness about the employment opportunities in aquaculture. "There's a lot of work across all ages to inform people about aquaculture," Sawyer says. "It will continue to be a need in our communities."
      While it's difficult to determine how many people are working in aquaculture in Washington County, the state provides some clues. The Center for Workforce Research and Information lumps aquaculture with animal production for tracking purposes, finding 143 direct employees registered in the first quarter of 2024, with an average weekly wage of $977.
      With the launch of specific businesses -- such as Kingfish in Jonesport, which is calling for 60 employees once it is operational -- the demand will be more targeted and immediate, Sawyer says. The program and the aquaculture industry coordinator position are grant funded -- primarily through USDA funds -- though Sawyer says she believes support for them will be ongoing. "This particular program was developed by the industry. I don't see it going anywhere."
      Speaking from the perspective of MAIC, Annie Noll -- herself an oyster farmer in Orland -- says, "Aquaculture in Washington County is already part of the toolbox for people working on the waterfront." Fishers are looking to diversify, she says, and aquaculture is increasingly being seen as a viable secondary or primary source of income.
      "Programs like Washington County Community College's new aquaculture technology program help create a hub of aquaculture knowledge in a region of the state that's dependent on marine based employment," Hedlund adds. "Aquaculture is an economic engine for Maine and a companion to the state's heritage fisheries, and that's especially true in Washington County."