Press Release: Tackling Maine’s Skilled Worker Shortage Through Language Programs
Arundel, ME – Emily Ingwersen, owner of Ginger Hill Design + Build, has spent over 15 years in construction, following in her father’s footsteps in southern Maine. As the workforce becomes increasingly scarce, Ingwersen is raising alarms about the growing challenges her industry faces amidst a critical housing shortage.
As the sole director of her company, Ingwersen notes that most of her skilled crew members are over 40, and younger workers are not available in sufficient numbers. To build homes for Mainers, recruiting skilled labor is essential, yet many of the workers Ingwersen has been able to hire are primarily Spanish and Portuguese speakers.
Despite appreciating the skills these new workers bring, language barriers pose significant challenges in communication, crucial for safety and efficiency on job sites. Ingwersen emphasizes that understanding building codes and technical specifications is vital for smooth operations, which are jeopardized when teams struggle to communicate effectively.
The implications of Maine’s labor shortage extend beyond construction, affecting sectors like hospitality, education, and healthcare. However, a new legislative bill, LD 471, aims to address these workforce shortages through the establishment of a pilot program to expand adult English Language Learner (ELL) initiatives at the University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine.
The program, if enacted, would not only provide intensive language instruction but also support systems like childcare and transportation, empowering non-English speakers to harness their technical skills and thrive in their respective fields. Ingwersen believes that investing in the English language skills of skilled workers can alleviate the labor crisis, ensuring that Maine’s construction industry—and the broader economy—can flourish.
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