WHEREAS, women make up only 15 percent of Maine’s construction industry; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I have long advocated for more women to join traditionally male-dominated fields, including construction and the trades, and in 2024, I signed an executive order to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of women in Maine’s construction industry; and

WHEREAS, since my executive order, state agencies have successfully partnered with employers, industry associations and education providers to expand training and job placement opportunities for women in Maine’s construction sector; and

WHEREAS, over 300 women have been placed in trades positions and more than 400 women have received training through enhanced preapprenticeship, apprenticeship, adult education, and community college programs, including targeted skills training such as CDL and clean energy credentials that equip women with the skills needed to meet the evolving demands of Maine’s construction industry; and

WHEREAS, statewide outreach and engagement efforts including career exploration events reaching over 1,000 young and working adults, targeted recruitment efforts highlighting Maine women in construction careers, and construction employers’ investment in safety training and mental health supports for employees have strengthened Maine’s construction workforce pipeline and promoted retention by fostering safe, respectful work environments; and

WHEREAS, the Maine Department of Labor is partnering with the Maine Human Rights Commission and others to expand access to training and tools to support prevention of sexual harassment and workplace violence to ensure everyone can feel comfortable and safe at work;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of March 1-7, 2026 as

Women in Construction Week

throughout the State of Maine, and I encourage all citizens to participate in related events, programs, and celebrations.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty fifth day of February Two Thousand Twenty-Six