CMCL Interview: Jennifer Dewees

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, Julie Sowash talks with Jennifer Dewees, Executive Director of MCCEI, about how the construction industry is evolving to meet a critical workforce shortage—and why it’s becoming a powerful, inclusive pathway for Gen Z, women, and people with disabilities.Jennifer shares how Maryland is leading the way with apprenticeship programs that offer debt-free, hands-on careers in the built environment. They dive into how neurodiverse individuals are thriving in construction, and how MCCEI’s partnership with Kennedy Krieger Institute is helping organizations better support alternative learning styles and accessible workplaces.Highlights include: 40% of the construction workforce is retiring—who will replace them? Earn-and-learn apprenticeships with no student debt Breaking down barriers for women and people with disabilities Why construction is ideal for neurodiverse workers Gen Z’s rise as the “Toolbelt Generation”Changing Minds & Changing Lives is produced by Disability Solutions, a nonprofit consulting firm and job board that partners with global brands to drive inclusive hiring and disability-inclusive talent strategies.Thank you to our episode sponsor, the Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation (MCCEI).