AUGUSTA, Maine — With the economy slumping, Maine’s community colleges are experiencing double-digit growth in the number of applicants seeking admission for the spring term that begins this month.

Applications are up 20 percent across the system, with the largest increases at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield, where applications are up 38 percent, and Central Maine Community College in Auburn where they are up 25 percent.

Nearly 600 more individuals have applied for admission to the two-year community colleges for the spring semester than did last year.

System officials attribute the increase in applicants to the weak economy and rising unemployment. During past economic downturns, the state’s community colleges have experienced an increase in both applications and enrollment as individuals have sought to upgrade their job skills or prepare for a new career.

The increased demand for community college offerings comes at a difficult time for the colleges, which have absorbed a 63 percent increase in enrollment since the transition from technical to community colleges in 2003 and have had to confront a $2.9 million curtailment in state funding for the fiscal year that ends in June.

“We are doing everything in our power to keep the doors open as wide as possible, but we are stretched thin and will not be able to serve all of these applicants,” said President John Fitzsimmons in a press release. “With unemployment predicted to reach nearly 9 percent in Maine in 2010, getting people back to work has got to be a top priority for our state. Maine people understand that and are turning to our colleges to gain the skills they need to find solid jobs and economic security.”

According to Helen Pelletier, the system’s director of public affairs, with increased enrollment and budgetary constraints, there already is a waiting list of three semesters for some programs. As a result, she said, some applicants are being advised to consider enrolling for introductory courses until the program they want has an opening.

“We don’t have room for all of them,” Pelletier said Monday. “We’ve been experiencing capacity issues for some time because of growth and budget cuts.”

Pelletier said the nursing and allied health programs were “incredibly popular” because of the job prospects upon graduation. Other courses drawing a lot of students are automobile technology, computer science, early childhood education, electrical technology and welding.

“We are trying to do everything we can to meet people’s needs,” she said. “We’re loath not to accept people but sometimes we don’t have that option.”

Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor has seen a 21 percent increase in its spring applications. Applications at York County Community College in Wells have risen by 19 percent, at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland by 15 percent, and at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle by nearly 14 percent.

More information about enrollment trends at Maine’s community colleges is available at mccs.me.edu/about/enrollment.html.