Enrollment at Maine Community Colleges is up, short-term job training programs in high-demand

MAINE, Maine — Maine college students are choosing to enroll at two-year public colleges, according to the Maine Community College System.

Community colleges in Maine saw a 6.3% increase in student enrollment as of September 23, compared to the same time last year.  All seven colleges in the state reported increases in degree programs and in short-term job training programs.

EMCC had the highest increase in enrollment up 10.4% with SMCC following close behind at 8.2%.

The Maine Community College System says doubling visits to high schools, focusing on one-on-one orientation sessions and using text to reach future students is leading to the uptick. 

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They are also adding new high-demand programs like plumbing, HVAC and esports, due to the popularity of short-term job training programs. Last year, 235 students applied for 40 spots in EMCC's free medical assisting program. 

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Maine's Community College System reports almost twice as many students graduated from short-term job training programs last year. 

The increase in Maine’s Community College programs is a sharp contrast to the declining enrollments at two-year public colleges around the nation.