Maine's workforce of tomorrow was on full display Wednesday, September 10, at Sanford Regional Technical Center, where Governor Janet Mills witnessed students building the skills that will shape their futures.
For SRTC Director Matt Petermann, having the Governor visit was "an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the transformative work we do every single day.”
The handshakes started before Governor Janet Mills even entered the building. Law Enforcement students lined up by the student gardens at Sanford Regional Technical Center Wednesday morning, each introducing themselves to Maine's governor.
Mills got to see the student gardens before heading into the SRTC Café, where students truly took center stage. Culinary Arts students prepared and served food while instructors and students from the Baking and Pastry, Video Production, Cosmetology, Digital Design, Academy of Business, Information Technology and Networking, Skills USA, and Cooperative Education programs presented their work directly to the Governor. What stood out was how confidently students explained their programs and shared their experiences.
One of those students, Anderson White, is in his third year studying precision manufacturing at SRTC. When Governor Mills asked about his experience, Anderson had exciting news to share - he'd landed a paid internship over the summer at a local company. "I'm only 16 years old," he told the Governor, explaining how "the internship program helped me to get out into the workforce early on and just gain experience, become more of an asset to companies."
During the café visit, Governor Mills had the chance to hold a gold medal that SRTC graduate Myles Seckler won at the national SkillsUSA competition last spring. SRTC student Leah Glidden spoke with Mills about the school's success at SkillsUSA competitions at both state and national levels, and even presented the new SkillsUSA logo, which was designed by SRTC graduate Deanna Watson. Watson won the state competition for the logo design, showcasing yet another way SRTC students excel in their fields.
Watching these interactions between students and the Governor reinforced what matters most to the school Petermann said.
"This visit isn't about us—it's about our students," he explained. "The young people who discovered their passion and purpose within our 25 programs."
Video Production students followed along, documenting the visit and gaining real experience, while Law Enforcement students provided security support. Mills visited nearly every program - from Early Childhood Education to Automotive Technology to Building Trades - and even tried out the new driving simulator in the Law Enforcement program.
What seemed to impress Governor Mills most was seeing students actively engaged in their learning. The state has invested significantly in SRTC, providing money in new equipment through the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan as part of $20 million invested statewide in career and technical education.
"We put over $117,000 into this school for equipment, and I got to see some of that equipment at work, and that's really kind of moving seeing how excited kids are, young people are at exploring these opportunities," Mills said. “I am very impressed with just the diverse career opportunities that these kids have from eight different high schools. From culinary arts to automotive to robotics and everything in between and beyond.”
The visit highlighted how SRTC serves as more than just a school - it's where students discover what they're passionate about and build skills for their futures.
"Students who may have struggled to find their place in traditional settings have found their home here, developing real-world skills that will launch them directly into meaningful careers," Petermann said. "We are building Maine's new workforce and future."
Check out news coverage of the Governor's visit below!
Newscenter: Gov. Mills meets with teachers and students at Sanford Regional Technical Center
WMGE: Governor Janet Mills visits Sanford Regional Technical Center