The Maine Shellfish and Seaweed Technician registered apprenticeship program is a minimum 1-year commitment to working a full-time, year-round, on-farm job from April to April. Apprentices will, under the guidance and mentorship of an experienced business owner and/or employee, complete 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training. In addition, apprentices will complete 144 hours of coursework and training through Southern Maine Community College along with supplementary experiences. The program is run by the Maine Aquaculture Association and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. It is designed for those with a serious interest in establishing a long-term career in Maine's aquaculture sector.

It is NOT the Aquaculture Pioneers certified PRE-apprenticeship program run by Educate Maine, which consists of a 10-12 week full-time commitment between the months of May and August and consists of paid on-the-job training, a 2-day introductory bootcamp, and participation in several networking and professional development events throughout the summer. Applications for that program will be accepted beginning on 1/21/25 and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until all positions are filled. To learn more about that program, please visit: https://mainecareercatalyst.org/aquaculture-pioneers/