FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND WORKFORCE BILL GAINS INITIAL APPROVAL FROM MAINE SENATE
AUGUSTA—The Senate gave initial approval to Maine’s first-of-its-kind workforce measure addressing the skills gap and workforce training. LD 90, “An Act To Strengthen Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future,” is an omnibus piece of legislation that renews the partnership between government, education, workers, and businesses, and addresses the specific factors contributing to the skills gap.
“By passing this measure, we are on the right track to solving one of the biggest obstacles facing our state’s economy,” said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall of Richmond. “Undoubtedly, this will put people back to work and help grow Maine’s businesses.”
According to a recent report by America’s Edge, a national nonprofit group, Maine needs an additional 15,000 highly skilled workers in order for the state to remain competitive in the global economy. Between 2008 and 2018, Maine jobs requiring postsecondary education are expected to grow seven times faster than jobs for high school dropouts. By 2022, roughly 75 percent of the fastest growing occupations with above-average wages will be jobs that require an associate degree or higher, according to the report.
Earlier this month, the measure unanimously passed in the Legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future. The fifteen-member committee, led by co-chairs, Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall and House Majority Leader Seth Berry began its work four months ago addressing Maine’s workforce challenges to better connect the needs of workers and businesses to help them compete in today’s economy.
“This bill is an investment that will grow Maine’s economy. It’s a win-win for Maine people and Maine businesses,” said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall of Richmond. “It’s a shared priority to put Mainers back to work and help businesses find the talent they need to grow. This measure does both by helping Maine workers get the right skills for today’s economy.”
Highlights of LD 90 include:
- First-ever uniform and seamless credit transfer system between the University of Maine System and Maine Community College System including block credit and reverse credit transfers.
- Creates a “training pipeline” by bringing four additional degree programs for high demand, high wage jobs to rural Maine and reduces the back log of waiting lists at Maine’s community colleges for 14 high-demand programs.
- Provides financial assistance to over 1,000 adult learners, students who started degree programs but have left school before earning their degree. According to recent studies, there are more than 200,000 Mainers with “some college.” This scholarship will be funded by both the University of Maine and the state.
- Supports a pilot program through Portland Adult Education, in conjunction with Lewiston Adult Education, to create a Welcome Center that will help foreign-trained professionals get the training they need, quickly, to use their skills here in Maine, thus helping solve Maine’s skills gap and growing the Maine economy.
- Expands the existing collaboration between Maine’s community college system, workers, and businesses to provide a worker training system for “incumbent workers” to enhance and supplement their existing skill set with current training so the worker can stay relevant in their field and the business can remain competitive in their industry.
- Restores funding for Maine Apprentice Program.
The measure, sponsored by Senate President Justin Alfond (D-Portland), garnered broad support from the Maine State Chamber, Chancellor James Page of the University of Maine System, President John Fitzsimmons of Maine’s Community College, and the Maine AFL-CIO among others.
“We know that a skilled workforce isn’t going to happen overnight,” said Senate President Alfond. “It will take a sustained and focused effort.”
The measure having just had its first reading in the Senate will now go on to the House and return to the Senate for additional votes.
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