UMaine System 'pathways' program addresses demand for engineers

Courtesy / University of Maine An engineering student at the University of Southern Maine works in a lab as part of his training. The University of Maine System announced it is launching the Maine Engineering Pathways Program in the fall to help more students prepare for a Maine-based career in engineering in response to a critical state shortage of trained engineers.

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By Staff

The University of Maine System is launching the Maine Engineering Pathways Program in the fall to help more students prepare for a Maine-based career in engineering in response to a critical state shortage of trained engineers.

The program is designed to prepare students to graduate in four years from an accredited engineering program and be ready to join the Maine workforce in a field with starting annual salaries in excess of $60,000.

According to statistics provided by the UMaine System, engineering employment grew 25% over the last decade, with 1,450 engineering jobs being posted between June 2015 and June 2016. Through 2027, UMaine projects the state will need 3,170 additional engineers: 1,420 being new positions and 1,750 to replace retiring engineers.

“Demand for engineers at Pratt and Whitney will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future,” Kevin McDonnell, director of engineering at Pratt and Whitney North Berwick Aero Systems, said in a news release. “We have our biggest backlog of new engine deliveries since World War II, and many new engine programs under development. The University of Maine System has a proven track record of providing us top-notch engineers. Pratt and Whitney will continue to look to the Maine University System to provide us with the best and brightest engineers as we develop and build the next generation of gas turbine engines.”

New program launches in the fall

The 1 + 3 Maine Engineering Pathways Program creates an opportunity for students to begin the first year of their engineering education at the Bangor and Augusta campuses of the University of Maine at Augusta, the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Machias, or University of Maine at Presque Isle and then complete their engineering degree at the University of Maine or the University of Southern Maine.

Students will also be able to access the program at University College locations in Bath/Brunswick, East Millinocket, Ellsworth, Houlton, Norway/South Paris, Rockland, Rumford, and Saco with a potential requirement for limited travel to a campus for lab work.

The program is intended to serve students who want to begin their academic careers at an institution closer to home or may need access to extra preparation to be ready for the academic rigors of engineering education. It also provides students at participating institutions with a chance to explore engineering as a possible career.

Students entering the Maine Engineering Pathways Program will immediately begin their engineering education at participating institutions taking an introductory course to explore engineering as a career and foundational courses in mathematics and science.

Following the successful completion of about 35 credits students will be able to transfer to either the University of Maine or the University of Southern Maine on track to earning a work-ready degree in engineering in just three additional years.

“There is great demand from industry for more engineers in Maine,” said Dana Humphrey, dean of the UMaine College of Engineering. “The Maine Engineering Pathways Program will help to address that need by providing a new way for Maine students to start their engineering studies."

Multi-pronged approach

Glenn Cummings, president of the University of Southern Maine, said the initiative is part of the UMaine System’s “multi-pronged approach to addressing the current and future workforce needs” of Maine.

“Our successful articulation agreement with Southern Maine Community College has expanded and widened pathways into engineering for students from throughout the region and our collaboration with our public university partners will put more students from throughout the state on a path to a Maine engineering career,” he said.

Additional recommendations that will be brought to UMaine System trustees include investing in a new engineering education center at UMaine and adopting UMaine and USM articulation agreements with Southern Maine Community College that create new pathways to UMaine and USM engineering degrees.

Engineering job fairs at UMaine and USM, as well as the Maine Engineering Promotion Council’s annual expo hosted this year at UMaine on Feb. 24, are expected to draw more than 150 employers and provide information to students about internships and potential job openings.

This collaboration includes experiential learning, guest lectures by Maine industry leaders, internships, job fairs, and assistance with recruiting.