AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said today that Maine lacks a sufficient number of skilled workers to fill job openings.

LePage met with business leaders from across the state at the Blaine House for the Governor’s Workforce & Job Creation Summit.

“It’s matching the skills to the job,” he said. “Quite frankly, one of the most disturbing things I heard today is our educational system is geared to send all students to a four-year college.”

At a news conference, the governor said he will continue to push for his idea of offering a fifth year of high school to allow students to take college-level courses. But he acknowledged that it’s a problem that needs a long-term solution.

“Our biggest challenge is to make sure the kids get out of school have skill sets for life, not just for academics,” he said.