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Tomorrow's Blue Economy is Built Today
Education, Innovation, and Job Opportunities in Cape Cod's Blue Economy
After a busy summer connecting with communities across the Cape (see photo gallery below), we jumped straight into the Fall season by welcoming two new interns from Barnstable High School and by attending several new-to-us events. We're always seeking to learn more about the needs of employers, about gaps in hiring, about the status of job seekers, and about cool innovators and experiments happening across the region.
Maritime Industry Roundtable Recap
On September 22 & 23, we attended the Region 1 Maritime Industry Roundtable at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The sessions on Day 1 explored education and labor challenges being experienced by shipyards and related contractors in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. The key message was that the staff replacement rate can't keep up with the rising 'silver tsunami' of retirement in roles such as welding, CNC operators and technicians, with one root cause being insufficient training opportunities for high school students.
Sessions on Day 2 focused on solutions to the training gaps from school-based solutions all the way to state-level program development. For example, large companies, such as Electric Boat, are developing entry level training programs for youth and adults to help fulfill their hiring goals. We learned about the success of the Uniquely Abled Project partnership with Bridgewater State University's EXCEL Program to create a fully inclusive postsecondary program in vocational fields or trades for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
The key takeaways for these roundtables are that workforce training and housing are areas of significant concern not just on Cape Cod, but across the Northeast region; we need to continue examining and strengthening our educational pipelines to meet demand where possible; and that there are opportunities to further develop connections between local employers and schools to strengthen and build better local workforce pipelines.
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Bringing Blue Economy Awareness to Jobseekers
Also in mid-September, we tabled at the MassHire Cape & Islands Career Center's Job Fairs located in Falmouth, Hyannis and Harwich, meeting many individuals curious about job opportunities in Cape Cod's Blue Economy. Not surprising, we heard from experienced job seekers with technical backgrounds who have found themselves recently unemployed. Others were retirees eager to find work to either supplement their existing income or to keep themselves feeling active and relevant.
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Diving Deep into Tech at OCIA
At the end of September, we attended the Ocean & Climate Innovation Accelerator (OCIA) Demo Day Symposium at the David Center for Ocean Innovation. It was a day of celebration for many research teams as they showcased their innovative approaches, technologies and capabilities to help advance the study of ocean and climate challenges. WHOI's President and Director Peter de Menocal kicked off the day an acknowledgement of the partnership with Analog Devices Inc (ADI), whose components are in nearly every electronic device around us, as Principal Program Manager Kathryn Hautanen later demonstrated to the audience. Flash talks took us on journeys above and beneath the water, highlighting projects including Virtual Buoys designed to help correct operational wave forecasts, low-cost pH sensors to help fishermen monitor fishing grounds, AIPEX (AI Enabled Long Range Autonomous System for monitoring ocean ecosystem dynamics) and Advanced Coastal Resilience Sensor Development.
Keynote speaker Jaap de Vries, Staff VP - Principal Innovation Specialist of FM Global, talked about how their rigorous research protocols, data analysis and AI modeling helps clients better strategize to prevent or manage losses.
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From left to right:
Janet Rocha, CTE Department Head
Jenny Howe, Business Marketing instructor
Katy Acheson
Kara O'Donnell-Galvin, Executive Director, Mass Hire
Cape and Islands Workforce Board
Dina Howell
Kaitlin Hackett, Culinary instructor
Kate Cabral, Digital Literacy & Innovation instructor
Not pictured:
Mike Campbell, Programming & Web Dev. instructor
Stephanie Coxe
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Blue Economy is for Everyone
In early October, Dina and I participated professional development panel to benefit Falmouth High School, alongside Stefanie Coxe, Executive Director of the Home Builders and Remodeler's Association of Cape Cod. Moderated by Kara O'Donnell-Galvin, Executive Director of the MassHire Cape and Islands Workforce Board, the theme of the session was "Day of Belonging."
Our conversations covered strategies for preparing students for successful entry into different workplace environments. The panel shared ways educators might help young people to become more self-aware, learn how to read their new environment, and how to know when to ask questions as they learn new skills and become part of a new culture. We also discussed the challenges and opportunities of using AI as a tool to support their work, and the importance of continuing to develop their writing skills.
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All in all, we've had a busy summer and fall with no signs of slowing down. Be sure to join us as we further our mission with focus on aligning education and workforce needs through programs like Wave Makers and WaterWORKS.
See you out there!
Katy Acheson
Executive Director
Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc.
| | On Wednesday, July 29, Katy participated in the inaugural Chatham Summer Salon at Chatham Bars Inn where Cape leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, and nationally recognized thought leaders gathered for lively, intimate conversations about the ideas shaping the future. The conversation "Building the Talent Pipeline," moderated by Mariah Kelly, connected education, healthcare, workforce development, and the Blue Economy, exploring how the Cape can prepare and retain the next generation of talent. Katy was joined by Michael Looney, Director of Career and Technical Education at Mashpee Public Schools, and Lori Jewett, SVP & CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare. | | |
Proud Sponsor of the Woods Hole Film Festival "Spirit of Massachusetts" Short Films Block
On Saturday, August 1, Katy attended the 35th Annual Woods Hole Film Festival's Spirit of Massachusetts Short Films block, which featured a number of shorts set on or near the water, including one about our beloved OLAUG (pictured above). Other films touched on lineless lobster traps, the spiritual side of oyster farming, freedom after incarceration, and the absurdity of taking advice from a crabby gull. Katy and Dina had a great experience promoting this block, which not only sold out, but had a waitlist of viewers hoping to get a seat at the show.
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Woods Hole Science Stroll
On Saturday, August 8, Katy and Dina tabled at the Science Stroll, meeting over 75 visitors from 11 states and 3 other countries, all eager to learn about Cape Cod's Blue Economy. Quite a few families traveled from out of state for the day or weekend, just to attend the stroll. For some, this is an annual ritual.
We only got to visit a few of our neighboring tables, but we had a blast talking to everyone strolling through the event.
Everyone's passion for scientific research, education, and a healthy, sustainable future was awe-inspiring!
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Outstanding in the Field - MacMillan Pier, Provincetown
On Tuesday, August 18, Katy was invited to be a guest at a sold-out long table event featuring host farmers Kalliope and Mike Chute of Mermaid Menu, guest chef Katherine Dufault of The Canteen, and wines by Clos du Val. The multi-course meal was served family style to bring diners closer together through shared plates filled with unique, locally sourced ingredients like eel garum vinaigrette, cucumber blossom, grilled summer flounder, and green crab garum whipped cream! Every bite was a love note from the Northeast coastline.
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Ports of Call - Join Us!
Thursday, October 29: Small Boats, Big Science
Join Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance for "From Flush to Filter: Removing Nitrogen From Cape Cod Bays." On Thursday, October 29 from 5:30–7:30 PM, hear from a panel of experts about nitrogen pollution, innovative solutions, and the work being done to improve the health of Cape Cod’s fish nurseries and waterways. Free to attend, register today!
Thursday, November 5: 2026 Taking Care of Cape Cod Summit
Join the Blue Economy Foundation, Cape Cod Anti-Litter Coalition, CARE for the Cape & Islands, and the Center for Coastal Studies at The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building in Harwich, MA. This year’s theme is Ready. Set. Go. Race to Zero Waste! Learn actionable ways to create your responsible environment from community leaders and changemakers.
Friday, November 6: Cape Cod Technology Council First Friday Breakfast
What does the future of advanced manufacturing look like, and how can Cape Cod businesses prepare the workforce needed to support it? Join John Keyes, IBAS MIT Project Coordinator at Cape Cod Community College, for a look at the Technologist Advanced Manufacturing Program, or TechAMP, an innovative workforce development program created by MIT and offered locally through Cape Cod Community College.
Monday, November 16 - OneCAPE
The 2026 OneCape Summit will take place on November 16, 2026 at the Wequassett Resort in Harwich, MA. This year’s program will feature a full day of learning, engaging, and networking. The annual summit is a regional forum for information, collaboration, and innovation across major policy issues and areas that impact Cape Cod.
| | Resources for Employers and Job Seekers | |
MassHire Cape & Islands Career Center
If you are an employer seeking a candidate with a specific skill set, you can submit a job order, schedule an on-site recruitment, participate in a job fair, ask about our On-the-job Training program and/or learn about training grants available through CommCorp which can assists with training the new skills your employees will need to in order for your company to remain competitive.
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Wave Makers Employers Forum
Wave Makers is a collaboration between the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation and Center for Community and Professional Education (CCAPE) to build on the challenges and opportunities experienced by Blue Economy employers.
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Blue Economy Job Board
Whether you’re an employer with positions to fill, or a job-seeker looking for work in Cape Cod's blue economy, we're here to help! Explore our job board and follow us on social media, where we share opportunities to our 900+ followers.
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Ready, Set, Holiday Shopping!
Give the gift of Big Blue Merch to your crew! Designed by Cape Clasp and inspired by local fisheries, dockside restaurants, and classic charter boat graphics, this limited-edition design highlights the connection between local fishermen, fresh seafood, and the coastal communities that make the Cape unique.
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What We're Reading
Read about acoustic and oceanographic research observations from multiple groups exploring the Gulf of Maine aboard the R/V Neil Armstrong in September 2026. Led by Jennifer Miksis-Olds (University of New Hampshire), Chief Scientist for this research cruise funded by the Office of Naval Research. Visit the project page >>>
| | Thank you to our WaterWORKS 2027 Partners
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The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc. is a 501(3) non-profit. To learn more about how you can support our work in the year ahead, please contact Katy, or visit this link.
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