Even with a new job, Fox knows she won't be through with school. Nationally, workers with a high school diploma are almost twice as likely to be laid off as people with a college degree, according to recent research by a Princeton University economics professor, Henry Farber. More workers are recognizing the need for a college education. Droves of midcareer Mainers are heading back to school to upgrade their skills or train for new careers. The average University of Maine student today is 29 years old, compared to 25 years in 1982.
Companies demand highly edu cated workers who can quickly learn new skills.
Employees, he said, ''have to be in a state of constant learning.'' National Semiconductor in South Portland faces similar market demands. Employees also travel to seminars around the country and are given work-related periodicals and Internet access. However, many companies do not offer to pay for workers' training. This unwillingness places the financial burden of getting proper training on employees, particularly lower-wage workers. The poll was done by the Maine Economic Growth Council.