New program introducing middle school girls to Maine’s construction industry | News [Video]

ORONO — A new summer program is aiming to introduce young female students to Maine’s construction industry. 

The “Girls Build the Future” camp is introducing the next generation of females to the construction industry. 

“I don’t see it like only a boy job, like maybe a boy and girl job,” said one participant. 

The pilot program is sponsored by the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development.

The department’s commissioner says these efforts are vital as women currently make up only 15% of Maine’s construction industry. 

“It’s really important that we think about getting young woman into the construction trades, there are great opportunities here for them and I think they’re seeing that today,” said Commissioner Heather Johnson with the Department of Economic and Community Development. 

The camp aims to give girls in middle school a look inside the industry while challenging them with hands-on learning. 

“Yesterday we made something that didn’t …