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V O L . X X V I N O. X X I X D E C E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 2 0 14 WO R K F O R C E D E V E L O P M E N T as well as candidates seeking remote positions, adding, "ere's been no let- up in applicants at all." Tilson CEO Joshua Broder is equally upbeat about hiring in 2021, saying, "Tilson is on a mission to build America's information infra- structure, which is especially urgent right now, and we are forecasting another big growth year." Noting that Tilson hires only about 4% of job applicants, he recom- mends interested candidates to be ready for a competitive hiring process. "We are getting hundreds of applications for each position, so candidates should put their best foot forward on their LinkedIn profile because only a small group will get to initial screening with one of our recruiters," he says. Solar power's sweet spot Maine's ongoing clean-energy drive is also boosting demand for solar power from suppliers like ReVision Energy, an employee-owned firm with two offices in Maine, two in New Hampshire and one in Vermont. Out of more than 30 current vacan- cies across all locations, a little more than half are in Maine specifically or are com- pany-wide roles with some flexibility. "Historically, the most challenging roles for us to fill are on the installation side, and specifically licensed electricians, plumbers and heat pump techs," says the company's co-founder and managing director, Fortunat Mueller. With that in mind and amid New England's transition toward more renewable energy, the company started an in-house electrical apprentice train- ing program in 2018. Mueller says it's looking to expand that in 2021 to include heat pump training as well as other technical and non-technical training. "We're also pursuing opportuni- ties to make this training accessible to communities and individuals who have typically been left out of the skilled trades, including specifically women and people of color," he says. "As Maine tran- sitions more and more toward renewable energy … we see this program as a criti- cal way to keep attracting, retaining and training the smartest and most dedi- cated co-owners to join our effort." Mueller predicts a 15% to 20% staff- ing increase in 2021, and notes that a "huge chunk" of ReVision's workforce is people "boomeranging" back to Maine or those looking to change professions or locations. "We just hired an IT manager who was delighted to get out of Brooklyn," he says. His own take on working in solar: "I believe that climate change is the defining issue of our generation, so to have the opportunity to try to be a small part of the solution in a company that cares deeply about making our community a better place, and with coworkers I admire and love, makes me feel incredibly lucky. I truly can't imagine doing anything else." PowerMarket, a New York City- headquartered solar management ser- vices startup owned by its 20 employees, is also looking to add to its workforce in Maine as it proceeds with community solar projects in China, Belfast, Baldwin and Gardiner. "We have three employees in Maine right now, and we would like to double that over the next couple of months," says Nick Baudoin, the company's co-founder and business development director. He says it's important not to grow too quickly, but organically and sustainably. In another fast-growing sector, Portland-based cybersecurity company Defendify is looking to add to its team of 12 with an engineer/full-stack developer and a content marketing specialist. While employers in other sectors are flooded with applications, the niche startup finds the limited number of can- didates to be a challenge. "Compared to large metropolitan areas, we just don't have the numbers," he says. Another hurdle for smaller firms like his is the lack of name recognition, even within Maine. His advice to poten- tial candidates: Do their homework on Defendify before applying, and touch on its story, mission, team and core values in their cover letter, emails and interviews. "It's a relatively small but impactful step candidates should always consider," Rinaldi says, "not just for alignment in our vetting process, but for their own good in identifying an employer and position that are truly right for them." 'Meaningful work' Commissioner Liberty definitely feels that way about his career path. Proud of the department's focus on rehabilitat- ing inmates and reducing recidivism, he notes that more than 100 have earned college degrees. "For me it's very meaningful, impor- tant work," says while en route to Augusta to set up Christmas trees at the Blaine House. "Some individuals wonder if they're making a difference in the world, and I think individuals working in the Maine Department of Corrections don't have to wonder that. ey're making a difference and making the public much safer as a result of their work." R e n e e C o r d e s , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r w r i t e r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t r c o r d e s @ m a i n e b i z . b i z a n d @ r s c o r d e s » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY F O C U S Fortunat Mueller, co-founder and managing director of ReVision Energy, predicts a 15% to 20% staffing increase at the employee- owned solar firm next year

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