Sun Journal covers Maine Engineering Workforce Summit
The Sun Journal covered the Maine Engineering Workforce Summit on Sept. 29 in Lewiston. The event focused on addressing the shortage of engineers necessary to meet the needs of the state. It was organized by the University of Maine and a coalition of 13 business, economic development and education groups. Maine’s leading experts on the economy, employment, education and engineering talked about the shortage and the steps needed to address the challenges. UMaine College of Engineering Dean Dana Humphrey noted that, over the next 10 years, Maine will have about 1,300 new engineering graduates available to enter the workforce, but 2,600 will be needed. Of the 6,340 of the engineers now working, 27 percent are 55 or older.