Maine’s Defense Industry Joins Forces with U.S. Navy, Higher Ed to Accelerate and Increase Workforce Training

News Advisory
Contacts:

Noel Gallagher: (207) 629-4028; ngallagher@mccs.me.edu
David Hench: (207) 442-4307; david.hench@gdbiw.com

SANFORD, Maine – A coalition of Maine defense industries, the community colleges and universities, members of Maine’s congressional delegation, state agencies, and the U.S. Navy plan to announce a new partnership dedicated to attracting and training thousands of new employees for critical jobs in the state’s defense industry, a sector that currently employs more than 20,000 people at more than 150 companies.

As part of the announcement, York County Community College (YCCC) will be unveiling a significant expansion of their manufacturing and trade facilities and programs.

When: Friday, March 1, 11 a.m. – Noon
Where: YCCC Sanford Instructional Site, 60 Community Drive, Sanford, ME
Speakers: Gov. Janet Mills; U.S. Sen. Angus King; the Honorable Nickolas Guertin, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition; and Maine Community College System President David Daigler.

In attendance: Leaders from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works; Maine Defense Industry Alliance; BlueForge Alliance; Program Executive Office, Strategic Submarines; Portsmouth Naval Shipyard; Pratt & Whitney; Maine Maritime Academy; the University of Maine System; and the Roux Institute of Northeastern University.