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V O L . X X X I N O. X I I § 2 J U N E 2 , 2 0 2 5 12 Reed & Reed hosts Maine Construction Acad- emy groups on its job sites. e company's own pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs provide pay and full benefits. "Our program exposes people to every aspect of construction," says Wood. e programs provide class work, fieldwork and tools. "ey get the opportunity to talk with a lot of the experienced people — crane opera- tors, superintendents, foremen," Wood says. "ey can talk with folks who have already been through our program and gone from pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship." e program even provides a financial advisor to teach financial literacy. Over 100 people have gone through the pre-apprenticeship program. "We've focused on the fact that we're not try- ing to just give you a job. We're trying to set you up with a career and here's pathway," she says. Public education Public education pathways include the Maine Department of Education's Career and Techni- cal Education Schools, offering hands-on training, industry certifications and real-world experience across a variety of industries, including construction. e seven-campus Maine Community College System, with AGC Maine, has short-term work- force training as part of its programming. For construction, one of the longest-running short-term programs is in welding, whose perks include an "earn while you learn" incentive. "We're working with construction companies and listening to their needs," says Dan Belyea, the system's chief workforce development officer. Short-term training generally takes days, weeks or months to complete, and is free or discounted. It's offered at the colleges, workplaces, online and through third-party, industry-approved instruction. e programs are in addition to the traditional offerings of two-year associate degree and one-year certificate programs, which are largely workforce training as well. Training components include basic occupa- tional skills training for people looking to enter a field or career; upgraded skills training for cur- rent workers so they keep up with evolving indus- try standards; and scholarships for workers look- ing to pursue an associate degree or certificate. Good earnings, benefits Pittsfield-based Cianbro, Maine's largest construc- tion company, started the Cianbro Institute in 2007 and built a facility to house the program in 2017. e institute supports professional growth opportuni- ties for team members at any stage of their careers, through in-house resources and partnerships with external organizations and educational centers. e institute offers 100% tuition reimburse- ment upon completion of approved external pro- grams, certifications, courses or degrees. Hundreds of team members take advantage of the institute's various programs every year, says Mark Brooks, the institute's director. Programs include apprenticeships, a high school "boot camp," professional development CONCRETE Christian Hill Quarry (207) 777-7101 3259 Hotel Rd. Auburn NOW HIRING TRUCK DRIVERS (All Locations) & MECHANICS (Auburn) CENTRAL (207) 777-7100 Auburn, Augusta & Fairfield SOUTHERN (207) 780-0523 Westbrook1, Westbrook2 & Biddeford MIDCOAST (207) 373-9290 West Bath, Topsham & Damariscotta AGGREGATES » C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 1 0 To close the gap, it will be critical for people to have multiple pathways to develop the high demand skillsets needed in the industry. — Mark Brooks Cianbro