Maine Adult Education is a powerful force for the future of the Maine economy. The 114 programs, based primarily in Maine high schools, provide a menu of lifelong learning opportunities that reflects the needs and aspirations of individual communities, with 120,438 enrollments in 2006, an increase of 5,000 over the preceding year.

The Brookings Institute’s 2006 report, Charting Maine’s Future, states “Our work force isn’t yet ready for tomorrow’s jobs. Compounding the challenge are thousands of older, less-educated workers laid off by downsizing companies. All of that points to an enormous challenge of retraining and re-educating ourselves for the new economy.”

During the past two decades, Maine’s adult education programs have responded throughout the state, in major cities and in the most rural towns, when plants closed. During the past five years, adult education programs served dislocated workers from more than 100 companies from all corners of the state, assisting the workers in learning the necessary skills to re-enter the job market or proceed to post-secondary education. The vocational courses offered by adult education programs, including computer technology, hard trades, allied health and retail sales, recorded 22,174 enrollments in 2006, strengthening people and communities.

A new area for Maine Adult Education is College Transition. Maine adults know that higher education is essential for secure employment and higher wages. The enrollment at the community colleges is increasing, yet many adults are not ready to enter college and succeed, as they may lack prerequisites or need refresher courses as well as counseling on career paths and college success.

Only 37 percent of Maine residents 25 and older hold a higher education degree, compared with 46 percent in the New England region. The Maine Compact for Higher Education has set a goal for Maine to have 40,000 more college graduates in the next decade. Much of this increase must come from the 85 percent of the work force already on the job today. Maine currently has 14 formal College Transition programs. Last year the Legislature funded six sites in addition to eight grant-funded sites, and the governor has included funding in the budget to make a substantial step toward the eventual establishment of 30 sites. The sites have a remarkable completion rate for their program and for entry into college.

The more familiar components of adult education programs are alive and well. In 2006, 3,108 high school credentials including GEDs and high school diplomas were awarded to adults in Maine. Overall there were more than 15,000 enrollments in high school completion courses. Many of the individuals enrolled in these courses left high school programs for family or economic reasons. The vast majority sought to complete their high school credentials to obtain employment or to enter college.

Adult education students are living proof of the conclusion that “more workers must demonstrate higher levels of literacy, technology proficiency, and self management to function successfully in the workplace” as concluded by the Maine Department of Labor in the 2005 Trends and Implications for the Maine Work Force.

Many of our residents do not possess the necessary skills to function in our literate community. These skills include basic reading comprehension and math skills. English for speakers of other languages courses are in great demand in Portland, Lewiston and surrounding communities in southern Maine. Maine’s Adult Education programs have developed experienced staffs and effective teaching methods for this population, serving more than 2,000 individuals in ESOL in 2006, as well as recording 12,624 enrollments in basic literacy classes. Our programs often work closely with Literacy Volunteers affiliates.

Community Education is often the face of adult education at the local level. The magic of “Learning Where You Live” in company with neighbors develops vital community connections. The ability of programs to offer online courses, to address pressing issues of health or finance, or to serve as a catalyst for community initiatives with local organizations is what makes Maine adult education an ever-changing enterprise. The Community Education courses are self-supporting. The students pay registration and materials fees to cover the cost of the course.

Adult education is an investment worth making for the future of Maine at the local and state levels. Maine people and communities deserve the opportunity to learn and prosper.

Cathy Newell is the executive director of the Maine Adult Education Association, www.maineadulted.org