🔒SMCC’s Construction Institute steps up to meet Maine contractors’ workforce needs

Southern Maine Community College awarded certificates Jan. 10 to the first students to complete the Construction Institute program, designed to address unmet needs in the state's construction industry.

SMCC President Ron Cantor said that the construction boom, combined with the state's aging workforce means the industry is having a hard time filling jobs. “We are helping boost the Maine economy by providing employers with the skilled workers they need to remain competitive,” he said in a news release.

The institute, which began in the fall, was developed in collaboration with business partners, Cantor said. The 20 students who received certificates attended a meet-and-greet with potential employers after the ceremony.

Construction employment is at a nine-year high in the U.S., according to the Associated General Contractors of America. The association says most construction firms plan to add workers this year as demand for all types of construction continues to expand.

The Construction Institute offers short-term classes, convenient schedules and stackable courses that allow students to continue their education without having to complete a degree program, according to SMCC. Students can also apply the credits they've earned in the institute classes toward a two-year degree in Construction Technology or a certificate from the school's 24-credit one-year course.

The five courses offered were Building Concepts & Leveling; Print Reading; Tool Safety; Construction Safety; and Framing Methods. SMCC plans to offer the course again in the fall.

Grant funding for the Construction Institute was provided by Maine Quality Centers, which is part of the Maine Community College System and provides workforce development training delivered through SMCC and Maine's other community colleges.

Roll the credits

Tyler Technologies will hold a ribbon cutting at its expanded Yarmouth site on Jan. 31. Zachau Construction was the general contractor.

Nick Gaddar was promoted to project manager at Landry/French Construction.

Peter “Andi” Vigue succeeded his father, Pete Vigue, as CEO of the Cianbro Cos., Maine's largest construction company, with 4,000 employees and annual revenue of $755 million. Andi Vigue also was elected to the board.

The new owners of Scarborough Downs plan to invest $20 million in infrastructure. The 500-acre parcel sold recently for $6.7 million to William, Marc and Rocco Risbara III, of Risbara Bros., and Peter and Richard Michaud, formerly of Michaud Distributors, under the business name of Crossroads Holdings LLC. The new owners have already assembled a team of advisers, including Dan Bacon at South Portland-based Gorrill Palmer Consulting Engineers Inc., Jim Damicis from Camoin Associates and Drew Sigfridson of CBRE/The Boulos Co.

Maine Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously against giving final approval to the Maine Aqua Ventus offshore wind project's proposed 20-year contract to sell electricity to Central Maine Power, citing a drop in electricity prices that's occurred since its 2014.

Rhode Island-based Bristol Marine has acquired the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, which will now go by the name of The Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor.

Maine added 600 construction jobs between November 2016 and November 2017, according to the Associated General Contractors of Maine.

Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce will give its “Public Sector Leadership Award” to both Brit Vitalius of Vitalius Real Estate Group and Heather Sanborn of Rising Tide Brewing Co. Vitalius worked to defeat a rent-control referendum in Portland, while Sanborn worked with OnePortland to defeat Portland Referendum question 2, which would have hampered economic development in the city.

Sheridan Construction completed the Maine Troop Greeters Museum at the Bangor International Airport, led by project manager Scott Quint.