After 99% of students completed a pilot program, Maine Construction Academy is rolling out to 12 more schools in the state. Of the pilot class of 50 high school juniors and seniors, 75% said that they were interested in construction careers, according to a report on TheCounty.
Maine Construction Academy was launched by the Associated General Contractors of Maine in 2023 and is funded by the Maine Department of Labor. The academy provides pathways in the construction and transportation industries, including pre-apprenticeship pathways that team the student with an employer to prepare for a registered apprenticeship. Apprenticeships include crane operator and equipment operator.
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The Construction Immersion program works with schools to prepare high school students or recent graduates to explore multiple crafts. They can gain nationally recognized credentials and are guaranteed an interview in a job fair with post-secondary schools, employers, and unions.
The Transportation Workforce Collaborative brings together the Academy, the Maine DOT Office of Innovations, the Maine STIC Committee, and the Maine Better Transportation Association to create pathways in engineering, construction, and maintenance.
The four-week program will include schools in Aroostook, Penobscot, Cumberland, Oxford, Sagadahoc, and Somerset counties with each program open to 16 students. Local contractors will provide hands-on experiences in the classroom and on job sites. Upon completion, students participate in interviews with three different contractors, according to the report.
