Outreach and Networking:

• NAWIC Maine- National Association of Women in Construction in the State of Maine

• Maine Apprenticeship Program- Information about available apprenticeship opportunities for all trades

• Maine AFL CIO- Take Action, Volunteer, Help with Legislature

• Habitat for Humanity Greater Portland- Women Build- women led teams join forces and work together to build affordable homes for families in need

• Midcoast Habitat for Humanity-Women Build- women led teams join forces and work together to build affordable homes for families in need

Education and On the Job Training:

• Maine DOT OJT Program- On the job training while earning money working towards a career in a trade

• Maine’s Community College Workforce Training- Training is grant funded and usually free for the trainee!

• Maine Construction Academy- Managed by AGC Maine, a group of industry professionals providing pathways to jobs in Construction and Transportation across the State of Maine

• Maine Adult Education- Workforce Training Classes-searchable by your area

• Maine AFL-CIO Union Construction Academy of Maine- Pre Apprenticeship opportunities for multi trades

• Associated Builders & Contractors of Maine- Apprenticeship program, earn while you learn!

• Maine Department of Labor- Maine Apprenticeship Program- Connecting people with jobs through apprenticeships- earn while you learn!

Bathroom

• Portable Toilets for Women - https://gogreenlatrine.com/portable-toilets-for-women-on-construction-sites/

• OSHA Bathroom Requirements for women - https://www.unitedsiteservices.com/women-in-construction-osha-restroom-requirements-and-beyond/ 

• OSHA Bathroom Requirements - https://www.osha.gov/restrooms-sanitation

Workwear

• Blåkläder - Swedish brand, expensive but good quality. They even have a maternity option!

  • https://www.blaklader.com/en/all-products?filters=ParametricMultiple,3397

  • https://www.blaklader.com/en/product/71361550-womens-fr-pant-with-utility-pockets#8900

  • https://www.blaklader.com/en/product/79901141-womens-craftsman-pant#8999 *these have a “stretch panel” in the same area as dovetail’s “gusset” - this is the zone that needs to have reinforcement or more durable fabric ! 

• Bluwear - Norwegian budget workwear; the $50 version of Blåkläder (Jula is sort of like Tractor Supply)

  • https://www.jula.no/catalog/klar-og-verneutstyr/dameklar/arbeidsklar/bukser/arbeidsbukse-dame-024927/

• Strauss - similar vibe to BK but German

  • https://www.strauss.com/global/en/womens-workwear-trousers/ladies-trousers-e-s-motion-2020-3310080-65741-962.html

• CXS - genuinely curious about these ones so let us know if you get a pair; odd lack of measurements to the sizing/no real size guide (seems treacherous) 

  • https://www.euroworkwears.com/collections/work-pants-women-new/products/cxs-stretch-womens-workpants-blue-black

• Red Ants Pants - US company, fit similar to OG carhartts with heavy canvas and simple side pockets. Seems like they are not in ‘mass’ production, always “out of stock”. They are active on IG and maybe have product drops that sell out quick?

  • https://shop.redantspants.com/red-ants-pants-original-work-pants.html

  • https://redantspants.com/pro-deals/?_gl=1*ln2nqv*_ga*NDQ3Nzc4NTc3LjE3NDI2OTE1MjY.*_ga_FTKGZ37N68*MTc0MjY5MTUzNS4xLjEuMTc0MjY5MTk1MC4wLjAuMA..

• Dickies - you all probably know these but in addition to more recognizable styles, they have a euro-style like bk.

  • https://www.dickies.com/work-pants/womens-holster-work-pants/SPF103.html

  • https://www.dickies.com/carpenter-pants/womens-flex-duratech-straight-fit-pants/FD085.html

• Tilth - local maker, FANCY!!! (and expensive)

  • https://tilthclothing.bigcartel.com/

• Dovetail - sadly, quality has gone down since they got really big

  • https://dovetailworkwear.com/

• Sük - similar to Dovetail. Fabric is not as heavyweight as we would like. They're definitely the best for size inclusivity.

  • https://sukworkwear.com.au/

• Some other options:

  • https://us.snickersworkwear.com/products/all-products

  • https://www.baileysonline.com/wild-ass-double-front-denim-logger-pants.html

  • https://www.gamineworkwear.com/

  • https://eveworkwear.com.au/products/battler-work-jeans-high-waisted

  • https://heydirtybirdy.com/

Professional

• Negotiating as a woman - https://worthmorestrategies.com/

• Contract template - feel free to use if you are working freelance for a client or own your own business

Additional Reading

• https://www.nccer.org/media/2024/01/NCCER-Fact-Sheet-Gender-Composition-of-the-Construction-Industry.pdf

• https://theavarnagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Confidence-Gap-The-Atlantic.pdf

• https://theavarnagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Recruitment-Hiring-updated-Nov-15-2021.docx.pdf

• https://www.globalindustrial.com/knowledge-center/article/women-in-trades-2023

• Moving Heavy Things by Jan Adkins was recommended by Liz M. for a great and fun intro to mechanical advantage 

• Building Traditional Kitchen Cabinets by Jim Tolpin recommended by Emily A.

• Modern Practical Joinery by George Ellis recommended by Rachel D.

• The Frailty Myth: Redefining the Physical Potential of Women and Girls by Colette Dowling (sorry we don’t remember who suggested this!)

• We'll Call You If We Need You: Experiences of Women Working Construction by Susan Eisenberg, written by a woman the year ahead of Nancy S. in IBEW training (electrician apprenticeship)

Historical Images

• https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/feb/11/great-bunch-of-fellers-the-heroic-wartime-lumberjills-in-pictures

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/women-work-labor-equality-feminism

• https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/women-workers-photos-usa-world-war-two/