Technically Speaking

By Lynn Olson

As the state labor commissioner in Maine, John Fitzsimmons spent his time helping adults who were unprepared to make it in the new economy. So these days, the president of the Maine Technical College System is practicing some preventive medicine.

Through the Center for Youth Apprenticeship, located at Southern Maine Technical College, Fitzsimmons is reaching out to high school students early in their careers, showing them the connection between learning and earning and inspiring them to continue their education.

"I really believe, in my state, the future lies in the quality of the skilled workforce,'' explains the Rhode Island native, whose accent betrays his blue-collar upbringing. "We will not compete with a North Carolina Research Triangle or even with Massachusetts' Harvard and M.I.T. and their ability to be international research areas. We will be the producers of goods. And I take great pride in that, because if we're able to produce high-quality products, it will mean high-wage...