New Construction Sector Partnership Tackling Workforce Shortages

AUGUSTA, ME — An innovative partnership bringing together more than 50 leaders from Maine’s construction industry, education and workforce organizations, and the Maine Community College System (MCCS) is expanding the state’s short-term construction training opportunities and increasing the number of skilled workers available to fill critical labor shortage gaps across the state.

“Now’s the time for an all hands-on-deck approach. Demand for housing and construction projects is through the roof. Projects are hampered by worker shortages, and the existing workforce is aging. We need to come together for solutions that work,” said Dan Belyea, MCCS chief workforce development officer and director of MCCS’ Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce.

The Center, which coordinates all short-term workforce training programs for MCCS, is prioritizing sector-based partnerships as part of a bold five-year plan to train more than 70,000 Maine workers between 2025 – 2030. Since 2022, the Center has already trained 45,000 students.

The Construction Industry Workforce Partnership is the first of several sector partnerships launched by the Center that design and deliver targeted training pipelines in Maine’s highest-demand fields. Healthcare and manufacturing sector partnerships are next, each with steering committees and action teams that co-create short-term, skills-focused training aligned to real hiring needs.

“We’re listening to industry and co-designing workforce training solutions,” said Liz Love, director of sector partnerships for the Center. “The construction partnership’s initial focus is on training carpenters, HVAC technicians, and heavy equipment operators.”

The partnership brings together stakeholders including residential, commercial, industrial, and specialty trade construction companies; trade associations; union representatives; Maine’s seven community colleges; and statewide education and workforce partners. A full list of partners is here.

“We need the voices of those with their boots on the ground, which is why this partnership is industry-led,” said partnership member Stacey Harris, a general superintendent at Consigli Construction Co., Inc.’s Portland office and a member of the MCCS Board of Trustees.

Construction is one of Maine’s largest industries and employs more than 48,000 people.

“I believe Maine’s future depends on the strength of its people. Through this collaboration, we can shape training programs that prepare Mainers for rewarding careers and give our industry the skilled workforce it needs to thrive,” Harris said.

Short-term workforce training programs take just weeks or months to complete and are offered in addition to the Maine community colleges’ robust trade and construction degree and certificate programs, which take one- to two-years to complete. Short-term training programs, usually offered at no cost to students and some with stipends or housing available, are ideal for people training for entry-level positions or for incumbent workers adding to their skills.

The construction sector partnership has already led to programing changes. Southern Maine Community College is offering a new flexible “a la carte” enrollment model for its short-term construction and carpentry training this fall. Courses address targeted foundation skills such as blueprint reading and tool safety, as well as advanced skills like millwork and advanced roofing. Students can enroll in a single course or complete SMCC’s full Construction Institute or Advanced Construction Institute. In early 2026, multiple Maine community colleges will expand short-term training for construction laborers, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, and HVAC technicians.

The new construction sector partnership is “vital for tackling the increased demand for skilled workers in our industry,” said Heather Raisanen, executive officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Maine. “It has been a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with experts from various sectors to ensure we are getting precisely what we need. Investing in workforce development and training is not only essential for our member companies but also for ensuring a strong and sustainable future for the entire construction sector in Maine,” Raisanen said.