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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2026 |
PORTLAND, ME--The Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) recently participated in Maine’s first Bring Back the Trades event, supporting efforts to inspire more young people to explore careers in the skilled trades—roles that are increasingly essential as Maine faces a growing workforce shortage. As part of our commitment to workforce development, MTA was a sponsor and brought employees from across the organization to demonstrate the tools, technology, and real world skills behind the work that keeps the Turnpike safe and reliable.
It is estimated that over 1,500 students attended. Students had the chance to explore an MTA snowplow, bucket truck, electric fleet truck, and equipment used in building and maintenance operations. MTA’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) crew showcased traffic signal components and their mobile work van, and our Human Resources staff answered questions about career pathways and jobs of the future. Interactive problem solving activities—like step by step diagnostics on a snowplow—showed students that maintaining the Turnpike involves far more than operating large equipment; it requires technical knowledge, quick thinking, and coordinated teamwork.
“Bring Back the Trades gives young people tactile experiences that help them understand what skilled trades careers involve,” said Andre Briere, Executive Director of MTA. “Seeing the equipment up close and meeting the professionals who operate and maintain it helps students picture themselves in these roles in a way that classroom presentations alone cannot achieve.”
The impact was immediate. The next day, Sophie Erickson, a JMG (Jobs for Maine Graduates) Specialist at Skowhegan Area Middle School, reached out to request an MTA speaker for her classroom after seeing how engaged her students were with the MTA staff and equipment.
“When we approached the MTA booth, the employees immediately struck up a conversation with students. The students quickly became absorbed in what they were seeing when they realized they could actually change the message on a highway sign and climb inside an MTA plow truck. The hands on activities at the MTA booth drew them in right away.”
Erickson added that MTA’s presence opened her eyes to the breadth of opportunities available in Maine. “I hadn’t realized the many different career paths within MTA, and it wasn’t an organization I had previously thought to invite into my own classroom." MTA is now in process of finalizing their school visit with Erickson.
For her students, many of whom hope to build careers in trades, the exposure was both timely. “A lot of my students don’t feel as though Maine has much to offer,” she said. “It’s important to show them that there are ways to be successful by working in Maine.”
JMG serves more than 13,000 students across Maine and provides educators like Sophie with opportunities to connect students with career exploration and workplace skills development. MTA has participated in JMG program outreach before—last year, Electrical Systems Coordinator Scott Purcell spoke with students at Thornton Academy—but Bring Back the Trades has sparked new conversations that will continue to grow.
Supporting events like Bring Back the Trades reflects MTA’s broader mission: We Serve Maine. By helping students discover rewarding careers in the skilled trades—roles vital to keeping Maine’s economy moving—MTA is investing in the state’s future workforce and strengthening relationships with schools across the state.