Some construction companies looking to hire more women

Some construction companies looking to hire more women BY David Ledford Maine PUBLISHED 3:40 PM ET Mar. 04, 2026 PUBLISHED March 4, 2026 @3:40 PM SHARE BANGOR, Maine — Women in construction and trade careers across the country are being celebrated this week. Nationally, women make up just 11.3% of the construction workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In Maine, where women make up 15% of the construction workforce, the celebration of Women in Construction week is well underway. In a proclamation, Maine Gov. Janet Mills encouraged Mainers to take part in connecting with and elevating women in the industry. “Women are a crucial part of Maine’s workforce, and they should be welcomed and embraced in every sector of our economy, like the construction industry and the trades,” said Mills. “We can’t afford to leave talented workers on the sidelines.” In 2024, Mills signed Executive Order 7, “An Order Regarding Women in Construction,” to increase the representation of women in the field. Bangor, Maine, Career Center Consultant Theresa Drew (middle) speaks with a woman at a hiring event Wednesday. (Spectrum News/David Ledford) According to the Maine Department of Labor, state agencies have since partnered with employers, industry associations, and education providers to expand opportunities for all Mainers, including women in the construction sector. The MDOL said these efforts have put more than 300 women in trades positions and over 400 in an educational p...