Maine’s aquaculture industry faces a significant workforce shortage, which threatens to limit its growth potential. In response, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA), and Educate Maine developed The Maine Aquaculture Workforce Development Strategy. This strategic roadmap outlines a cohesive training pipeline to meet current workforce needs while anticipating future demands as the industry evolves. Since the Strategy’s launch in 2020, substantial progress has been made. MAA, in partnership with GMRI and Educate Maine, created the first-generation Maine Aquaculture Occupational Standards to standardize workforce training. Building on these standards, and with funding from USDA NIFA, the Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Apprenticeship program was registered with the Maine Department of Labor. The apprenticeship includes 2,000 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) at aquaculture businesses and 144 hours of Related Technical Instruction (RTI) provided by Southern Maine Community College (SMCC). All SMCC training is reviewed and approved by an industry steering committee to ensure alignment with sector needs. The program recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of apprentices, with the second cohort now in progress. Feedback from both apprentices and employers has been highly positive, signaling the program’s success in meeting the industry’s workforce demands. This session will explore the creation of the apprenticeship program, its outcomes, and our vision for expanding it to further support Maine’s growing aquaculture sector.