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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 D E C E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 2 0 F O C U S WO R K F O R C E D E V E L O P M E N T "ere's no other sector that supports the economy as much as STEM does," she said in the webinar. STEM crosses disparate types of work. At Bath Iron Works, every job has a science component that people don't always recognize, said Ally Coombs, BIW's director of human resources, who spoke during the webinar series. Many are obviously STEM related, including jobs in material and envi- ronmental sciences, health and safety, ship design, engineering and the digital technology that go into design and engi- neering, for starters. Some might be surprised to realize that the trades — such as welders, elec- tricians and blasters — and even admin- istrative functions are also grounded in STEM disciplines, Coombs said. e biggest challenge is finding STEM-skilled workers, especially in the trades. STEM candidates are in high demand. But the scholastic environment, Coombs said, lacks sufficient capac- ity and resources to produce enough candidates and to familiarize students with connections between their personal interests and corresponding career opportunities. In its own efforts to foster STEM development, BIW participates in edu- cational programs and offers appren- ticeship and professional development programs. "We've got to educate kids from the very beginning, all the way down to kin- dergarten, getting them to understand these career paths are lucrative, there's a lot of them and they're a great opportu- nity," Coombs said in the webinar. Haley Ward also fosters education- to-career connections through partner- ships with higher ed. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » get to know the At Norway Savings, our Asset Management Group believes in Family Asset Management. Simply put, it means we do right by you and your loved ones. More than an advisor, as a fiduciary we will help you manage your wealth by putting your interests first. Every family has a story. Let us help you write your next chapter. FAM 207. 482.7920 | NorwaySavings.bank FAMILY ASSET MANAGEMENT I N V E S T M E N T M A N AG E M E N T • T R U S T S E RV I C E S • FI N A N C I A L A DV I C E • E S TAT E P L A N N I N G Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y H A L E Y WA R D I N C . Finding talented people with the right STEM skills is not always easy, says Johanna Szillery, a senior project scientist at Haley Ward Inc. S O U R C E : Science is US, National Science Foundation's National Science Board BY THE NUMBERS In Maine, STEM supports: But Maine is behind the nation in other measures: Direct and indirect jobs Gross domestic product 61% 6.78% Maine 3.57% Maine 0.84% Maine 58% 9.23% U.S. 4.89% U.S. 2.8% U.S. Science, engineering and technology employment establishments as a percentage of all Individuals in science and engineering occupations as a percentage of all occupations Research and development as a percentage of gross domestic product

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