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S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 / W O R K F O R M E 13 The partners say the alli- ance will serve a critical need in Maine, where the defense sec- tor employs more than 20,000 people at over 150 companies. Defense spending in Maine to- taled $3.2 billion in 2021. With support from the U.S. Department of Defense, the non- profit alliance plans to guide and support training initiatives across the state by building a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable workforce develop- ment system, its leaders say. The alliance's educational partners include the Maine Community College System, the University of Maine System, Maine Maritime Academy and the Roux Institute of Northeast- ern University. "This is really a tremendous opportunity if we get it right," says David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System. "But if we don't treat this as a matter of urgency … we're going to lose opportunity to other states in other regions of the country." Maine's largest defense con- tractors – shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, and the Navy-run Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – all need new, highly skilled em- ployees, according to leaders of the alliance. By 2029, Maine's defense in- dustry must add 8,000 skilled workers, the leaders say, and another 10,000 workers already employed by the industry will need additional training and education to advance their skills. "I don't think you can [over- state] the urgency," says Daigler, inaugural co-chair of the alli- ance's board of directors. "This is actually yesterday's problem being solved today, not tomor- row's problem that we're trying to figure out." Tangible impact Over the next five years, Maine defense contractors and the sub- contractors who support them must significantly ramp up hir- ing, adding between 1,200 and 1,700 skilled workers each year. When including replace- ments needed to cover retire- ments and natural turnover, Bath Iron Works, Pratt & Whit- ney and Portsmouth Naval Ship- yard alone anticipate needing to fill over 7,500 positions, ac- cording to the alliance. Hun- dreds of additional workers will be needed by smaller defense industry suppliers across the state, it says. "Our mission to build ships for the U.S. Navy in support of our country's national defense depends on having a highly skilled, well-trained workforce," BIW President Charles Krugh said in a statement. "This new partnership linking Maine's ma- jor defense contractors and our state's education infrastructure creates a cohesive and sustain- C o n s t r u c t i o n / T r a d e s I N T E R S TAT E C E L E B R AT E S W O M E N I N C O N S T R U C T I O N Interstate offers women an empowering and supportive environment that thrives on innovation, collaboration, mentoring and growth. We provide dynamic careers in many facets that support forward-thinking talented women. Join the trades and become part of an industry that impacts the world! MASSACHUSET TS | CONNEC TICUT | RHODE ISLAND NEW HAMPSHIRE | MAINE | VERMONT 855.500.IESC | www.iesc1.com Valued Partner. Trusted Employer. Mentoring: Engage with our experienced team. Learn from industry leaders to become the best! You decide how far you want to strive in your career, and we will help you get there. Earn while you learn: Paid apprentice schooling. By marshalling the resources of state government, higher education institutions, and leading defense companies, this public and private partnership will build a pipeline of skilled workers to fill good- paying jobs in Maine's defense sector and fulfil our mission of supporting the defense of our nation. — Gov. Janet Mills C O N T I N U E D O N F O L LO W I N G PAG E »

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