Engaging business, adult ed and colleges to upgrade Maine's work force
The United States has one of the world's most advanced higher education systems, attracting droves of foreign students here to earn a coveted degree despite language and cultural barriers. Unfortunately, many Americans have not taken full advantage of these same opportunities.
In Maine, 38% of adults ages 25-54 have an associate degree or higher, while one in three holds only a high school diploma or equivalent without any post-secondary credential. They comprise 181,285 of Maine's prime work force, nearly the population of Maine's five largest cities combined. How can we facilitate adult workers advancing their education and training in a changing economy where high-skill workplaces are the new norm?
According to a 2010 Georgetown University study, between 2008 and 2018, Maine's economy will add an estimated 15,000 new jobs that require post-secondary education, while jobs for high school graduates and dropouts will grow only by 2,200. A new study commissioned by Southern Maine Community College estimates that nearly 60% of new jobs created in the next decade will require an associate degree or higher.
The skills gap
As Maine has lost a large number of well-paid, traditionally blue-collar jobs, overall wages for Maine workers has lagged. Based on the Working Poor Family Project's analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, nearly three out of four jobs in Maine are low-wage jobs. The median annual pay from these jobs cannot meet basic needs — housing, food, energy, transportation and education — for a modern family.
If we can tackle the skills gap head on, however, we can boost Maine's economy and help more Mainers find better jobs and a better standard of living.
Maine policymakers recognized the need to promote post-secondary education and in 2006 approved funding for the Maine College Transitions program through Maine Adult Education. Today, 22 MCT programs serve about 1,300 students annually in 40 communities across the state. MCT not only offers remedial courses, but more importantly, career counseling, computer and lab technology training, self-management skills training, and college experience through collaboration with community colleges and state universities. These support services effectively lower barriers and boost confidence for many first-generation college candidates, improving their chance to succeed in college.
The results are encouraging. Over 70% of MCT enrollees score higher in college placement tests and need less remedial education. Most graduates go to college. While many aim for an associate degree or a professional credential, some seek advanced degree programs. For example, Amy Smith, a Rockland mother of three and the University of Maine's Class of 2010 valedictorian, is now working toward a master's degree in history with her eyes set on a teaching career.
Various state models point to the importance of business champions who understand the value of adult education in retooling the work force. Clearly, Maine businesses have an interest in work force education and training. MCT shifted adult education's focus toward college readiness and career planning — the next step is building career pathway programs.
Customizing programs for targeted career goals, from contextualized remedial education to trade classes in college, will deepen the collaboration among adult education, college and business. Students will embark on an accelerated, coordinated path to a rewarding profession, and employers will acquire skilled workers they need to grow and compete. Potential pathway programs include training skilled workers in health care, precision manufacturing and criminal justice.
Another necessary component is a two-way working relationship between business and education to coordinate the "demand side" of businesses with the "supply side" of education. For example, Ready Indiana, an employer-led work force development program, supports full-time state chamber of commerce staff to help employers navigate the adult education network. Minnesota's career pathway program, FastTRAC, benefits from local employers who help with facility tours, job presentations and hiring interviews. Businesses can also contribute by engaging in course development, instructional support and equipment upgrades, offering internships or apprenticeships and providing employee education incentives.
As one MCT graduate points out, helping adult workers get a better education is a good investment. They have roots here and are unlikely to leave. They deserve a second chance at career development for themselves and their families.
Maine businesses need to take full advantage of Maine's innovative adult education programs and a comprehensive college system. In addition to supporting college transition and career pathway programs, business leaders should also recognize the value of earned income tax credits, affordable health care and child care, and financial aid, which are all essential in helping working adults go back to college and succeed. Together, we can move more Mainers to higher-skilled and better-paid jobs. We will all win: businesses, education, working families and a renewed Maine economy.
Connie Zhu, policy analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy, can be reached at czhu@mecep.org.
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