These events will increase the effectiveness of outreach and recruitment, education and training, employment, and retention of girls and women on MaineDOT highway and bridge construction projects in our future. The workshops are to occur in collaboration with area schools, community colleges, technical schools, and agency staff. The host is encouraged to partner with area businesses to provide free instruction of non-traditional and/or STEM related career opportunities. The expectation is that at least three (3) in-person workshops will take place in the spring and three (3) in-person workshops will take place in the fall at different locations within the state of Maine. The funds from MaineDOT should be invested in the following target areas: • Coordinate statewide Trades for ME sector workshops and/or conferences* in the spring and fall of 2026 targeted to middle and high school girls. The goal will be to increase awareness and participation in highway and bridge construction and other non-traditional trade and technical occupations. • Develop and deliver Introduction to the Trades training modules for women and other underserved, underrepresented, and diverse adult workers to increase awareness, participation, and retention in the highway and bridge construction and other nontraditional trade and technical occupations. (Projected up to 3 virtual.) • Workshops and conferences for both youth and adults will be coordinated with MaineDOT. Other sources of funding can be utilized at the discretion of the potential vendor with programs like Maine DOE, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Maine Community College System, contractors/employers, tradeswomen, workforce training providers, guidance counselors, and other interested partners.
