It used to be a simple division of labor. Schools taught the basics and employers trained their workers. But like many aspects of our economy, things aren’t so simple.

That’s why we applaud business leaders like Michael Dubyak, president and CEO of South Portland based WEX Inc., who have been willing to get involved with education in ways that we have not seen in the past.

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Michael Dubyak, president and CEO of South Portland based WEX Inc., chairs Educate Maine, a business led non-profit that works to make sure more Maine kids go further in school, especially in technical fields. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Instead of standing on the sidelines and criticizing schools and universities for what they are doing, Dubyak chairs Educate Maine, a business led non-profit that works to make sure more Maine kids go further in school, especially in technical fields.

Dubyak outlined the role for business leaders in a speech to the Portland Regional Chambers of Commerce Breakfast Wednesday. Businesses like his cannot find enough qualified candidates to fill good paying technical jobs in Maine and many parts of the country.

Dubyak says he uses contractors from out-of-state for some IT jobs because they can get work done that needs to be done.

The “skills gap” is a national phenomenon, not just in Maine. Some economists argue that it is a result of stagnant middle class wages over a generation. Usually, when there is a shortage of something it becomes more expensive and people are motivated to fill the need.

But, at least in Maine, this is not just a wage scale problem.

The vacant tech jobs already pay more than the other jobs and that would be incentive enough to motivate Maine students if they knew what would be available to them when they were done with school.

It’s up to businesses to communicate with students at all levels about the kinds of jobs that might be available, especially since those jobs might not have even existed when their parents, teachers and other significant adults in their lives were in school.

Dubyak has the right idea, calling on business leaders to get involved by offering paid internships and other forms of outreach. They can also help by making school more affordable with scholarships.

And they can speak up about Maine’s education system, not only pointing out where it needs to improve but also calling attention to the things that are being done right. Maine schools have received unfair criticism from no less an expert than Gov. LePage, which could have a chilling effect on businesses and workers who think about moving here. The program envisioned by Dubyak and others could be a national model and bring some positive attention to our state.

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