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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 A U G U S T 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 F O C U S G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E community colleges, with support from industry partners. Including this summer's group, 60 students have gone through the program. Besides learning about timber growth, tree species and markets, stu- dents are taught how to safely operate equipment so that they are career-ready upon graduation. e program, taking place this year in the woods northeast of Old Town, aims to train a new generation of younger loggers ready to enter the industry as older workers reach retire- ment age. Another goal is to attract more women, although there are none in the current group, according to Dana Doran, PLC's executive director. "ough it's a traditionally male- dominated workforce, a lot of women who really manage the business along with their husbands don't get the credit they deserve or recognition," he says. "We'd like to see more female equipment operators." He also says that women tend to pay greater atten- tion to detail. Maine's loggers contribute signifi- cantly to the state's forest products sector, which is worth an estimated $7.7 billion annually. e logging industry alone contrib- uted an estimated $619 million to the Maine economy in 2017, supported more than 9,000 jobs directly or indirectly and generated $342 million in labor income, according to the PLC. e trade group also estimates that the industry paid an estimated $25 mil- lion in state and local taxes in 2017. Among graduates of the 12-week cer- tificate program, William Mazariego is a 22-year-old skidder operator on track to make $60,000 this year working for a company based in Fryeburg, he says. He enrolled in the program after hearing about it while enrolled in a vocational program at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, and had job offers from all over the state by the time he finished. "e program really gives you a leg up getting into the industry," he says. "ere's a lot to learn in a short time to learn it." Mazariego also notes that while getting professional certification is not a requirement to getting a job, it makes a job candidate look better to a poten- tial employer, and helps the employer determine compensation. Pittston resident Ben Shaw is another alumnus of the program, which he enrolled in after graduating from high school in 2018. Despite no prior logging experi- ence except for using a chainsaw, Shaw enjoyed the program and took a job soon after finishing. He doesn't think that would have happened without the training course, since logging jobs usually come by word of mouth, he says, Already in his second job, now with West Gardiner-based McGee Construction Co., Shaw says he'd recommend the training program for others interested in what he regards as a hard but rewarding profession. "Mentally it's exhausting," he says, "but I love it. I wouldn't want to do anything else." Business Property and Liability Insurance Products Cyber and Data Breach Liability Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance, EPLI & Equipment and Mechanical Breakdown I N S U R I N G M A I N E B U S I N E S S — I N S U R I N G M A I N E P E O P L E We've been in business more than 140 years, and continue to innovate by providing you a portfolio that offers the kind of protection your business needs — today. Innovative solutions for today's business challenges. Visit Patrons.com to find an independent Maine agent near you. Serving Maine and New England Since 1974. 207-725- 4304 P O U L I N C O N S T R U C T I O N M E . C O M C O N V E N I E N C E S T O R E S R E S TA U R A N T C O M M E R C I A L / P U B L I C R E TA I L C U M B E R L A N D FA R M S WAT E R B U RY, C T C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F P RO F E S S I O N A L L O G G I N G C O N T R A C T O R S O F M A I N E Including this year's group, 60 students have gone through the training program.

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