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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 D E C E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 2 1 F O C U S WO R K F O R C E D E V E L O P M E N T Co-creation of courses Westbrook veterinary diagnostics and software maker IDEXX Laboratories Inc. has partnered with Roux from the start. "As a fast-growing company, we see two major areas of opportunity with the Roux Institute: building our innovation pipeline and attracting and developing exceptional talent," says Shayna Collins, strategic capability development man- ager at IDEXX. e partnership has so far affected over 60 IDEXX employees through the co-creation of two custom course seminars. "Bruce Maxwell, director of comput- ing programs for the Roux Institute, conducted targeted listening sessions with us to understand our unique learning needs, leading to the creation of highly personalized courses deliv- ered virtually to our global workforce," says Collins. "Professor Maxwell uses examples and projects relevant to the students' real work and current priori- ties and the feedback on these sessions has been incredible, with one partici- pant saying it has changed the way they do their job." Northeastern is known for its co-op program, which fosters semes- ter-long internships. So far, IDEXX has also hosted 31 Northeastern "co- ops," or interns, and has hired two Roux students full-time. "Innovation requires diversity of thought and by developing a learning hub that will attract talent from across the country, the Roux Institute pro- vides access to expertise and skills that are critical for developing IDEXX's current employees and enhancing our ability to attract prospective new tal- ent," Collins says. Education continuum STEM education also hinges on a con- tinuum that begins before kindergarten, says Ruth Kermish-Allen, executive director of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance in Augusta. Among its activities, the alli- ance provides professional learning experiences geared toward innova- tive STEM education for PreK-12 educators to increase equitable access to STEM learning for all kids. To do this they partner with Maine busi- nesses to support pre-K through 12 STEM education. It also works with rural communities to encourage STEM education as it applies to local economic activities. "A lot of students or youth feel, 'If I want to do something really cool in STEM, I've got to go somewhere else to do it,'" she says. "But did they know there's a biofuel rocket business in Maine? Did they know that engineer- ing and other STEM experience will be needed for wind power in the coming years? ere's so much capacity for what the STEM workforce in Maine really means that our kids just aren't seeing — or maybe they are seeing but they aren't identifying the traditional industries in their communities as STEM." Need help finding or retaining a skilled workforce? We finance and advise businesses, helping them to create competitive advantages by investing in good jobs for their employees. 207.504.5900 www.ceimaine.org C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » P H O T O / M A I N E M AT H E M AT I C S A N D S C I E N C E A L L I A N C E Ruth Kermish-Allen, executive director of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, says STEM education hinges on a continuum that begins before kindergarten. There's so much STEM capacity in Maine today — and so much more 10 and 20 years down the road. — Ruth Kermish-Allen Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance

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