National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Maine Chapter 276 will host the annual Maine Construction Career Days October 1, 2026, at Midcoast Maine Excavation in West Bath, Maine. The event will be open to all public and private high school students accompanied by approved school chaperones.
“The goal of Maine Construction Career Days is to introduce students to the wide variety of rewarding careers available throughout Maine’s construction industry,” said Brittany Widbiller, NAWIC Maine Vice President, Co-Chair of the event, and Human Resource Specialist at Coutts Bros. “Whether they’re interested in operating heavy equipment, building electrical systems, welding, surveying, engineering, or project management, we want students to experience these careers firsthand. By connecting them directly with employers, educators, apprenticeships, and industry professionals, we’re helping build the next generation of Maine’s skilled workforce while showing that construction offers meaningful, high-paying careers with endless opportunities for growth.”
The event was born from a desire to help address labor shortage challenges, building awareness of the construction industry as a viable option for a career path right out of high school. Maine Construction Career Days is a hands-on experience with exhibitors and educational resources from across the state. It will be attended by construction companies, school districts, state agencies, labor unions, and trade and professional organizations.
For students, the event offers live demonstrations, interactive equipment experiences, and career insights, with the chance to operate machinery, learn about different trades, and connect directly with employers and training programs.
“This collaborative event provides students with an introduction to various aspects of construction,” said Danielle Barry, Co-Chair and Community Relations Lead Analyst, Public Education & Training for CMP. “Students will get an opportunity to operate a mini excavator or skid steer and actually move dirt around, steer a boom lift, operate a 50-ton hydraulic crane, use a welding torch in a hands-on welding tent or a virtual welding simulator.”
Students are encouraged to visit and engage with all participating vendors as part of the NAWIC Challenge. To complete the challenge, each student must visit a designated minimum number of vendor booths, ask questions to learn more about the companies and career opportunities available, and have each vendor sign their challenge form.
Once students complete the challenge, they will be entered into a raffle for an opportunity to win prizes, including welding hoods, five-piece tool kits, computers, gift certificates, and more.
There will also be information regarding apprenticeship opportunities in the construction and transportation sectors. Last year, over 900 students and 70 vendors participated in the event. This year, registration is open to 1,000-plus students and over 80 vendors with a multitude of opportunities for hands-on experiences.
Students from around Maine who attended this event have expressed comments such as, “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I graduated, but I do now.”
| Your local Trimble dealer |
|---|
| WPI |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| WPI |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| WPI |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| WPI |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| WPI |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| WPI |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
The event will take place 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 1. Now in its fifth year, organizers expect many previous attendees to return again.
Associated General Contractors of Maine is supporting the event and will highlight opportunities in their pre-apprentice and apprentice programs. NAWIC Maine 276 has also forged alliances with other industry associations that share a similar vision and passion for the future of Maine’s construction industry.
NAWIC Maine 276 urges anyone involved in the construction industry to register for Maine Construction Career Days. The event is expected to sell out.
Schools, sponsors, and exhibitors can register online at NAWICMaine.org. For more information on sponsorship or the event, email MCCD@NAWICMaine.org.
| Your local Hitachi dealer |
|---|
| ASCO Equipment |
| ASCO Equipment |
| ASCO Equipment |
| ASCO Equipment |
| ASCO Equipment |
| ASCO Equipment |
Students will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of equipment and technology used throughout today’s construction industry, including:
- Dump trucks, man lifts, and pavement grinding equipment
- Excavators, loaders, and cranes
- Welding demonstrations
- Electrical and low-voltage technology, as well as switch boards
- Surveying and GPS technology
- Fall safety truck demonstrations
- Virtual reality paint spraying
- Commercial trucks and snow plowing equipment
- Rock drill from Maine Drilling & Blasting
- Propane truck and HVAC equipment
- Concrete forms and window assembly
In addition, Enterprise Electric is demonstrating a powerline cutover activity.
