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schools, you may build relationships with potential workers. For example, in Maine, half of Portland and Lewiston public schools' population is made up of students of color and multicultural populations. Regionally, Lowell, Mass., has 30,000 to 35,000 Cam- bodians, the second largest in the United States behind Long Beach, Calif. 2. Hire For many of the nearly 50,000 immigrants and refugees living in Maine, English is not the first lan- guage. Recruiters and interviewers should consider how and where they advertise their positions and whether their application process is friendly to potential English as a Second Language candidates. You can ask your hiring teams to explore if the questions you will ask reflect openness to new skills and new experiences. If the expectation is to replace a worker who was born and raised in Maine with someone who fits the same culture and skills, then finding a person of color to meet those expectations will likely falter. The hiring process for new workers will be about adapting to new ideas, cultures, and expertise. Hiring for potential and hiring people who are will- ing to learn and grow with you, regardless of their backgrounds, will yield powerful results for your business. 3. Retain When employees feel safe, supported, welcomed and valued, they will know that their opportunities are directly tied to their performance, regardless of their race or ethnicity. They will stay. The person who is best posi- tioned to promote this positive culture is an employee's direct supervisor. When the supervisor is an ally and part of the support system to help people of color to succeed, the likelihood of retaining that employee is greatly increased. All front- line supervisors should be as well-versed in diversity, equity, and inclusion work as the CEO and leadership. Equity work is done in small teams and departments. Leadership rooted in equity makes the dif- ference, whether it is in the corner office or on the warehouse floor. n S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 / W O R K F O R M E 33 C o m m e n t a r y Hotels, restaurants and event spaces will continue to be at the heart of of Maine's tourism and conference businesses. With training, there is a wide range of careers available. S TA R T I N G O N T H E N E X T PA G E ยป 3 4 Welcome back Maine's hospitality industry is looking forward to a strong comeback RETAIL H O S P I TA L I T Y / 3 6 Getting started in hospitality