Making the case that Maine needs to boost the number of residents with academic degrees to create more, better paying jobs, two foundations released a report Tuesday showing Maine continues to trail New England when it comes to higher education.

“Two thirds of Maine’s work force has no degree,” said Henry Bourgeois of the Maine Compact for Higher Education.

In the next decade the majority (59 percent) of Maine job vacancies will require an associate degree or more, according to An Educated Workforce for a 21st Century Economy.

The same report identifies current barriers to higher education, and poses issues and questions to Maine’s gubernatorial candidates:

* More students with unmet financial needs should to go to college.

* Higher education best serves adults in the work force.

* How much of the state budget should go for higher education?

* Create more pathways for high school graduates and adults to go to college.

All five candidates on the Nov. 2 ballot will attempt to address those issues, answer those questions and offer their higher education platforms on Sept. 28 in Portland, said Colleen Quint of the Mitchell Institute. It was unclear Monday if just entered, write-in candidate John Jenkins of Auburn would be invited, Quint said.

Those candidates are Republican Paul LePage, Democrat Libby Mitchell, independents Shawn Moody, Kevin Scott and Eliot Cutler.

The report was done by the Mitchell Institute for the Maine Compact for Higher Education and the Maine Community Foundation. Leaders from those organizations met with the Sun Journal editorial board Monday.

The report is not a set of recommendations, or a blueprint for change, but information about the challenges of higher education in Maine.

For instance, financial aid has increased but not fast enough to keep pace with college costs. A growing number of students from lower or middle income families have seen their “unmet need” gap in financial aid rise steeply, making it harder for them to attend college.

Plus, Maine students graduate with more debt. The average debt for students graduating from a Maine four-year college in 2008 was $24,916, the 10th highest in the country, according to the report. What state policy could allow more students with need to go to college? the report asks.

Another problem area is how few Maine workers — 7 percent — are pursuing any kind of higher education. What could be done to help those working second or third shift take college classes? Quint asked.

When it comes to the state budget, about 9 percent is spent on higher education, which is similar to other states, Quint said. Some candidates may think 6 percent is enough, others may favor 12 percent. Whatever amount a candidate supports, “we ought to know that,” Quint said.

The two organizations have briefed the candidates on higher education’s bigger problems. Those seeking Maine’s highest office do agree education is one solution to more and better jobs, Quint said.

While more money would help, money isn’t the only answer, she said.

“There’s a lot that can be done with resources we have right now,” Quint said. “It is about making tough choices, figuring out what’s working. Some things are working well. Some things are working less well.”

Gov. John Baldacci’s administration turned Maine Technical College System into the Maine Community College System, which created a more affordable way for many to start college.

Creating that system “has changed the face of education in Maine,” Quint said. Since 2001, community college enrollment has grown by a whopping 68 percent, compared to 2 percent at the University of Maine System.

“I’ll be excited to see where the new governor stakes a claim and opens the flood gates for us,” Quint said.

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

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