BRUNSWICK, Maine — U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited the Maine Energy Marketers Association (MEMA) and Maine Technical Education Center (MTEC) in Brunswick on September 3rd, touring the organization’s hands-on training facility and meeting with students, instructors, and leaders from Maine’s energy industry.

During the visit, Senator Collins toured MTEC’s training labs and learned more about the programs preparing students for careers in Maine’s energy industry. She also spoke with students and instructors and met with MEMA members to discuss workforce development and the opportunities and challenges facing energy businesses across the state.

MTEC provides hands-on technical education and training designed to prepare students for careers in Maine’s energy industry, helping employers develop the skilled workforce needed to serve homes and businesses throughout the state.

“Having Senator Collins here at MTEC gave us an important opportunity to show her firsthand the work being done to prepare the next generation of Maine’s energy workforce,” said Charlie Summers, President and CEO of the Maine Energy Marketers Association. “Our members are providing essential services to Maine families and businesses every day, and having a strong pipeline of well-trained technicians is critical to the future of our industry. We appreciate Senator Collins taking the time to meet with our students, instructors, and members and to hear directly from the people doing this work across our state.”

The visit also gave MEMA members an opportunity to speak directly with Senator Collins about the issues facing Maine’s energy industry, including workforce recruitment and training, the cost of doing business, and the importance of maintaining a reliable and affordable energy supply for Maine consumers.

MEMA represents businesses that provide heating fuels, motor fuels, propane, renewable liquid heating fuels, and other energy products and services to homes and businesses throughout Maine. Through MTEC, MEMA provides hands-on technical education and workforce training to prepare students for careers in Maine’s energy industry.

Photo caption: U.S. Senator Susan Collins tours the Maine Technical Education Center in Brunswick with MEMA President and CEO Charlie Summers on Thursday, September 3. Also pictured in photo is Mike Estes, Estes Oil, and Paul Spaulding instructor at MTEC.