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W O R K F O R M E / S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 14 Elevating women in construction To recruit women to the construc- tion industry and elevate the women in construction, Maine hosts an annual Women in Con- struction Week during the first week in March. In May 2024, Gov. Janet Mills signed an executive order that helps bring more women to con- struction jobs. Women make up about 15% of the workforce. The Maine Department of Labor works with partners to increase the level of participation. "Maine's construction industry offers a variety of quality high- wage career opportunities, as well as established training pathways to these in-demand occupations, such as registered apprentice- ship," Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman has said. "We are seeing a deep interest in these skilled trades and earn-while-you-learn programs that both meet em- ployer needs and advance Maine's workforce goals. Through initia- tives such as Women in Construc- tion Week and the Governor's executive order, we are able to amplify these opportunities." A Women in Trades webpage (apprenticeship.maine.gov/ women-in-trades) shares stories of women in Maine's construction industry, highlighting expanded pre-apprenticeships and train- ings with industry, union and education partners, promoting networking with women-led or- ganizations such as NAWIC and Tradeswomen of Maine, offering employer resources to build wel- coming workplaces, and helping Mainers connect with trades ap- prenticeship and job opportuni- ties near them. KVCC 'digs' into workforce development Kennebec Valley Community Col- lege has held workforce training demonstrations to help tackle Maine's shortage of skilled heavy equipment operators. KVCC's Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program, which ran from February to early April, brought together industry, workforce and education leaders to prepare construction work- ers for higher-skilled, higher- wage roles. The six-week program emerged from a broader Construction In- dustry Workforce Partnership, where employers worked directly with Maine's community colleges to design and deliver training that meets the real needs of the construction sector. n C o n s t r u c t i o n / T r a d e s Do great things with great people. S E E O U R O P E N P O S I T I O N S — S E B A G O T E C H N I C S . C O M / C A R E E R S We're currently looking for experienced Engineers, Surveyors, and CAD/MicroStation Designers ready to take on meaningful work across Maine. Apply Today! C M Y CM MY CY CMY K SebagoTechnics_MaineBiz_WorkforME_F.pdf 1 4/9/26 3:10 PM « C O N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 1 2 Kennebec Valley Community College's Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program ran from February to early April P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F K E N N E B E C V A L L E Y C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E