Giving (college) credit, where credit is due

It’s easy to forget, given the steady drumbeat of bad news rolling across the transom that at some point, Maine/New England (and many other regions of the country) will once again be scurrying to locate skilled labor, a commodity that is always in short supply during better economic times.

Some employers see the big picture, and continue to be proactive in making certain that they have the people they need, with requisite skills, to meet any short-term, or longer-term workforce need they might encounter. One such employer in Maine is the Cianbro Corporation.

From an article in today’s Bangor Daily News, we learn that Cianbro has entered into a partnership with Eastern Maine Community College, creating a pathway for employees to earn a college degree.

According to the article, Cianbro employees involved in welding and pipe fitting, electrical, building construction and millwrighting will be able to gain college credit for their skills through the new program.

This is a great example of the kind of public/private partnership that Maine needs more of, in order to provide the kind of skilled workforce required to remain competitive in the 21st century.