MaineSpark’s coalition of education and business leaders recognize an urgent need to address the education and workforce challenges facing our state. We’ve joined forces to strengthen the systems and institutions that support Mainers on paths to fulfilling careers.
For the past ten years, MaineSpark’s members have come together to ensure that Maine’s workforce is productive and competitive. Our organizations have connected the people of our state with the education, training, jobs, programs and resources needed to thrive in our robust and changing economy.
Our initial goal was that by 2025, 60% of Mainers would hold education and workforce credentials that position Maine and its families for success. Despite the pandemic and other unforeseen obstacles, we’ve made great progress: education attainment in Maine has increased to 55.5% (as of the most recent data in 2024). But new challenges have arisen that demand new solutions, all of which depend on people earning high-value credentials. We invite you to join us for MaineSpark’s second phase and new goal: that by 2035, 70% of Mainers will hold postsecondary credentials that lead to good jobs.
MaineSpark’s Phase 2 Priority Action Areas
Through 2035, MaineSpark will be focusing our efforts on the following priorities and strategies.
Credential Completion & Persistence
Increase the number of learners who successfully complete credentials by strengthening academic and wrap-around supports. Focus on reducing stop-out points, improving credit transfer, and re-engaging individuals with some college but no degree.
Post-secondary Access & Affordability
Reduce the structural and financial barriers that prevent learners from starting and completing postsecondary education. This includes addressing cost, transportation, childcare, and flexible learning options, particularly for adult learners and those in rural communities.
Early Exposure & Career-Connected Learning
Ensure learners begin building strong foundations and exploring career pathways by middle school. Expand access to high-quality, real-world, career-connected learning experiences aligned with workforce needs and co-developed with employers, including internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, dual enrollment, early college, and extended learning opportunities (ELOs). Strengthen sustained partnerships between education and employers to ensure experiences are relevant, accessible, and lead to in-demand careers.
Pathway Navigation
Increase access to clear, consistent, and personalized guidance for learners and workers at key transition points. Coordinate systems that connect education providers, employers, and workforce partners, ensuring learners have access to trusted advisors and good information about credentials, support, and career opportunities.
Early Care & K-8 Education
Expand access to high quality early care and education, including strengthening the early care workforce and expanding public and mixed delivery Pre-K programs. Equip all learners with strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy by the end of elementary school to support long-term success.
Regional & Community-Based Solutions
Support approaches that reflect the unique needs and assets of Maine’s schools and communities. Facilitate collaboration to amplify solutions that work at the local level.
Equity-Focused Supports
Prioritize supports for first-generation students, those facing financial barriers, and underrepresented populations to close gaps in access and attainment. Ensure that strategies are responsive to the unique experiences of learners across the state.
Key Measures
Credential Completion & Prosperity
- By 2035, 70% of Mainers hold postsecondary credentials.
- By 2035, 70% of college students complete their degree on time within 150% of expected program time.
- By 2035, 60% of adults in the Maine labor force hold a post-high school credential and earn at or above the wage benchmark.
Regional and Equity Based Supports
- By 2035, 55% of economically disadvantaged Maine high school graduates are enrolled in a postsecondary pathway within one year of graduation.
- By 2035, the median credential attainment rate among underrepresented racial and ethnically diverse groups in Maine is at least 60%, with all groups showing measurable gains.
- By 2035, credential attainment has increased in every Maine county, and differences between highest and lowest county-based attainment is no more than 20 percentage points.
Early Education
- By 2035, 70% of Maine four-year-olds are enrolled in public Pre-K programs.
- By 2035, 4th Grade reading & math proficiency reaches 75% per the NWEA assessment scores.
Career Connected Learning & Navigation
- Year over year, feedback from education and workforce navigators reflects increased clarity, consistency, and coordination around credential pathways, available supports and career outcomes.
Action Framework
To reach 70% attainment, the MaineSpark Coalition will:
- Build a shared statewide agenda that keeps the 70% attainment goal visible and clear
- Use and promote data-informed action and accountability by making progress—and gaps—transparent and meaningful for decision-makers
- Activate partners across sectors to move education, workforce, and community efforts in the same direction
- Amplify what works by identifying effective practices and increasing their visibility for adoption across the state
- Advocate for policy and investment that removes barriers, strengthens pathways, and supports attainment
- Center community voices and lived experiences to ensure solutions reflect the realities of Maine people and communities
Interested in joining?
To join our efforts, your organization can sign on to support this goal, key measures and priority actions by clicking here:
To learn more or get in touch, email Jason Judd, Executive Director at Educate Maine at jason@educatemaine.org.