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S P R I N G 2 0 2 2 / W O R K F O R M E 55 Maine's tech businesses continue to grow in the areas of payment processing, biotech and R&D. There are opportunities there and the jobs pay well. TECHNOLOGY 5 6 STEM salaries fueling growth Innovative programs are positioning Maine students for careers in this booming sector S TA RT I N G O N T H E N E X T PAG E ยป Technical Center who is one of five students accepted into EMCC's highly-competitive radiography program. Upon graduating from high school, she'll have had two years of Health Occupation courses at Hancock County Technical Center, plus 24 college credits through Bridge Academy. When colleges see Bridge Academy students, they know that in addition to technical skills, the students are college proven. Q: Tell us about the partnership with Northern Light, EMCC, United Technologies and Hancock County Technical Center. BL: This is an opportunity for high school- ers to earn college credit and seamless entry into EMCC's associate RN program. Juniors in health occupations programs at United Technologies and Hancock County Technical Center get mentored by North- ern Light staff, and get experience at the hospital. During their two years at the technical center, students take college general ed courses like anatomy, biology and history. If they maintain a solid GPA, EMCC guarantees the students the next available slots in its associates degree RN program. At EMCC, they can finish the pro- gram in two years instead of three because they already completed a year of college credits. After graduation, if they go work at Northern Light, the hospital provides tuition assistance that covers the cost of getting a bachelor's in nursing at UMaine. Q: How do students pay for Bridge Academy's college courses? BL: There are a variety of sources. We have an agreement with EMCC and University of Maine Augusta to offer classes to stu- dents at a reduced cost. There are also other scholarships, like the state's Competitive Skills Scholarship Program for low-income students. Bridge Academy is also working with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce to duplicate this model in other industry sectors and raise money for scholarships. Q: How did you get interested in this? BL: For me, technical ed was a pathway out of poverty. I grew up blue collar. I always wanted to be a chef and own a restaurant. I studied at a technical ed center in high school, got an associates degree from a community college, got a bachelors' degree, then a masters degree. I went on to teach, become a chef and own a restaurant. n