January 28

Lawmakers, LePage target Maine skills gap

The Associated Press

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage joined business leaders and the Manufacturers Association of Maine on Monday to formally launch a marketing campaign to educate students, parents and the public about modern manufacturing opportunities in the state.

Maine's manufacturing sector employs nearly 51,000 Mainers with average annual salaries of $50,000. More than half of all manufacturing careers in the state are considered high-tech jobs, but many go unfilled because applicants don't have the necessary skills.

Meanwhile, the Legislature's newly formed Committee on Maine's Workforce and Economic Future was told that more than 400,000 Mainers will retire during the next two decades. Economist Charles Colgan said that presents a challenge to develop a "quality workforce."

The campaign was developed by the Manufacturers Association, the governor's office and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.


 

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