Education Facts

Unless we actively promote education and training, central Maine employers and employees will be at a competitive disadvantage for job attraction and retention.

What lies ahead?

Maine’s Department of Labor predicts that nearly half of the jobs created between 2004 and 2014 will require a post secondary education. Many of the occupations with the fastest projected growth rates will demand a post secondary education.

How do we currently stack up?

Maine lags New England in the proportion of the adult workforce with 2- and 4-year college degrees, and Androscoggin County lags much of the rest of the state.

According to the 2000 US Census, only 16% of working-age adults living in Androscoggin County have at least a Bachelor degree compared to 25% in Maine and 34% in New England. Only 24% have at least an Associate degree compared to 33% in Maine and 34% in New England. Such figures underscore the need for area residents, both youth and adults, to seek and attain more post-secondary education. The region’s future is dependent in no small measure upon their success in doing so.

Why should individuals get more education and training?

In addition to giving you useful skills and abilities, a college education expands your horizons and helps you make sense of our complex 21st-century world. Increasingly, you’ll need education and training to get and keep a good job. Plus, people with higher levels of education have higher life-time earnings potential.

Why do we all need a better educated region?

Employers need skilled workers to remain competitive in today’s global economy. A better educated workforce gives us the human capital, technical and professional knowledge, and problem-solving we need in our businesses and organizations. It helps attract new investors and companies to our area. And it helps us improve the quality of life in this region.