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3 3 F A L L 2 0 1 8 / S T U F F M A D E I N M A I N E women in Manufacturing "Jobs were hard to come by," she says, especially in the local textile industry. Trunzo, then 28, had worked at a Biddeford Textile Co. plant for several years, but had been temporarily laid off several times. She was worried about job security. She saw an ad for an opening at a rope manufacturing company and she applied immediately. Trunzo became one of five full-time employees on Sterling's production floor, and one of two women there. "It was a challenge from the start," Trunzo says. Although she found some simi- larities between braiding rope and weaving blankets at Biddeford Textile, the learning curve was steep. "Patterns were different, machinery was different, a lot of things were different." But Trunzo persisted. Sterling Rope had just moved to Maine from Massachusetts. As the company grew, Trunzo eagerly took on new duties, from braiding to winding rope coils to shipping product. She learned new skills along the way. "Eventually, I worked at every job on the floor, from one end to the other," she says. "I liked the challenge. If you give me a chance to learn a new job, I'm going to learn it." Now, 20 years later, Trunzo is the production manager at Sterling Rope, overseeing 40 manufactur- ing workers for one of the world's leading makers of rope used by mountain climbers, tree trimmers and fire-rescue crews. Women in man- ufacturing jobs Trunzo's professional success may seem unusual in light of recent statistics. While women made up 47% of the U.S. labor force in 2016, according to U.S. Census data, they comprised only 29% of manufacturing employees. In Maine, only 5% of female workers are employed in manufacturing, a 2013 national survey found, rank- ing No. 44 nationally and at the bottom in New England. Choose the best plan for your budget. Prebuy, SmartPay/Downside Price Protec on or Commercial Fixed Price Program. We will work with your needs! Comprehensive hea ng fuel op ons for your business C O N TA C T T H E O F F I C E N E A R E S T TO YO U : cnbrownenergy.com Backed by superior service and reliability! > Hea ng Oil > Kerosine > Propane > Natural Gas > Gasoline > Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel > Off-road Diesel BUILD YOUR FUTURE AS A MANUFACTURING LEADER. CONTACT US 207-755-5273 enroll@cmcc.edu www.cmcc.edu INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITIES Academic Degrees • Architectural & Civil Engineering • Building Construction Technology; income and on-the-job experience while earning your degree • Electromechanical Technology • Precision Machining Technology Continuing Education • Professional Development • Certification Testing EMPLOYER OPPORTUNITIES • "Earn While You Learn" Apprenticeships • Workforce Development Courses • Customized Training Programs • Employee Recruiting Services CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE » Eventually, I worked at every job on the f loor, from one end to the other. I liked the challenge. If you give me a chance to learn a new job, I'm going to learn it. — Karen Trunzo Production manager, Sterling Rope Co. W HEN KAREN TRUNZO STARTED WORK IN 1998 AT BIDDEFORD- B A S E D S T E R L I N G R O P E CO., SHE HAD NO PL ANS TO BE A TRAILBLAZER FOR WOMEN IN MAINE'S MAN- U FACT U R I N G I N D U S T R I E S . I N S T E A D, S H E WA S LO O K I N G F O R A S T E A DY PAYC H E C K .

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