In May 2024, Governor Mills signed an executive order to increase the representation of women in construction careers.
The executive order outlined action items including collecting baseline data, consulting with industry about opportunities and barriers to hiring women, strengthening the connection between workforce program participants and construction employers, gathering workforce data from contractors, and pursuing grant opportunities.
The Maine Department of Labor is collaborating with several agency partners to advance this executive order, with an ambitious goal of increasing the representation of women in construction in Maine from today’s 15% to a target of 18%. It will do this by connecting 1,000 additional women to construction careers over the next three years.
Below are key updates, programs, and resources gathered to advance this goal.
- January 2025 Progress Report (PDF)
- October 2024 Progress Report (PDF)
- July 2024 Progress Report (PDF)
- Tools for Building an Equitable Infrastructure Workforce (US DOL Women’s Bureau): https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WB/media/508_WB_Issuebrief-Equity-Module_10022023.pdf
- Advancing Opportunities for Women through Apprenticeship: A Case-Based Resource Guide (US DOL Women’s Bureau): https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WB/media/AdvancingOpportunitiesWomenthroughApprenticeship-jan2021.pdf
- Building for the Future: Advancing Equal Employment Opportunity In the Construction Industry: https://www.eeoc.gov/building-future-advancing-equal-employment-opportunity-construction-industry#:~:text=That%2011%25%20figure%20includes%20women,the%20construction%20trades%20were%20women.
- How to Expand Access to Good Clean Energy Jobs among Women and People of Color (Urban Institute): https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/how-expand-access-good-clean-energy-jobs-among-women-and-people-color?&utm_source=urban_newsletters&utm_id=workforce&utm_campaign=Workforce
- Labor resources that may be helpful for working women! (PDF)
- 5 Ways Construction Employers Can Create Safer Workplaces for Women (US Department of Labor) https://blog.dol.gov/2024/04/18/5-ways-construction-employers-can-create-safer-workplaces-for-women
- Women in the Trades (Center for Construction Research and Training) https://www.cpwr.com/research/research-to-practice-r2p/r2p-partnerships/r2p-p2r-at-work-reaching-vulnerable-workers/women-in-the-trades/
- Transportation & Construction Unlimited 2025- Presque Isle, Maine
- Renewable Energy Opportunities Career Fair April 16th, 2025 - Portland, Maine (PDF)
- MaineDOT On the Job Training Program for women and people of color—more information here: https://www.maine.gov/mdot/civilrights/docs/ojt/OnTheJobTraining1.pdf
- New Ventures Trades for ME on-demand videos and upcoming events: https://tradesforme.org/
- Stacey, UMaine grad works at Consigli Construction: https://www.whatshebuilt.com/stories/stacey-harris
- Sabrina, Reed and Reed Apprentice: https://youtu.be/fv5hNC8E8-E?si=MO5YbGchpl8yBaJw (YouTube)
- Sabrina, Reed and Reed Apprentice: https://youtu.be/XHTqC1qbUHQ?si=cdF7lxP9r7eiSDqD (YouTube)
- Rose at IBEW 567 and Audra at Blaiklock Carpentry: https://www.maine.gov/labor/sites/maine.gov.labor/files/inline-files/MAP2021ApprenticeshipReport.pdf
Kate Doughty of Topsham, a field engineer with Reed & Reed Inc., uses an auto level to test elevation at a bridge project in Gardiner. “I don’t have a background in construction…people are so willing to help you learn,” she said of her coworkers.
Students participate in a welding exercise at the 2024 Maine Employer Summit.
Governor Janet Mills signs an Executive Order to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of women in Maine’s construction industry.
Governor Janet Mills signs an Executive Order to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of women in Maine’s construction industry.