By Rep. Larry Bliss

    Recent reports have proven what my colleagues and I have always known: build it, and they will come. This fall, like the last, students from all over the state and from every background are flocking to Maine’s community colleges.

    The Maine community college system has been an overwhelming success story. Since their inception in 2003, the community colleges have seen enrollments skyrocket at the seven campuses statewide by nearly 55 percent. At Southern Maine Community College, enrollment applications are up 6.6 percent this year; and the Kennebec Valley Community College is seeing a whopping 18 percent increase for fall classes. The community colleges have been extremely efficient in absorbing the dramatic increase in the enrollments, and are providing educational programs for many Maine people.

    But, the community colleges have become a victim of their own success. The dramatic rise in enrollments has put much of the systems’ most popular programs far beyond their own capacity and they are unable to fully serve Maine students. Programs within the building trades and health care industry are under an especially heavy demand from students and employers alike.  Given the current economic times, it is likely the trend will continue as Maine people look for opportunities to better their skills and marketability. 

    Maine businesses have come to rely on community colleges to provide training and help build a skilled workforce. Without a skilled workforce, Maine’s economy cannot meet its full potential. Our businesses are actively seeking skilled employees so they can expand, but without a greater supply of graduates, our economy will suffer.

    Maine has limitless potential in emerging fields such as composites, renewable energy, and research and development. The ideas and proposals are out there looking for the skilled workers to fill in the details.  Those workers are worth investing in as the return is great. 

    Increasing skilled jobs – and therefore, the income of Maine workers – is how our state will prosper.  The focus must be on getting our students and employees trained to take on the competitive nature of today’s marketplace. 

    For the future, my colleagues and I need to work to ensure continued funding and support, so we don’t price students out of the market and so that popular programs can keep up with the demand.  We must also work to maintain the balance between education for trades and coursework for further degrees at four-year institutions.  Students need that flexibility if they are to continue their education. 

    When a new business looks to Maine as a possible place to locate, they are specifically looking at the employable workforce. We need to let employers know that our workforce is enthusiastic and anxious to work, and very well educated in cutting-edge technologies. 

    More than 12,000 students will attend classes at one of the seven community colleges during the 2008-09 school year. That means there are more than 12,000 reasons to support Maine community colleges and the future economic engine of the state.

    Rep. Lawrence Bliss Represents House District 122, Part of South Portland. Bliss is the House chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee and he is employed at the University of Southern Maine.