Connor Cram, a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and a third-year student student in Oxford Hills Technical School’s plumbing program, both in Paris, talks  Monday about his education and post-graduation plans as tech school Director Randy Crockett and Gov. Janet Mills listen. Mills came to announce federal approval of a $15 million grant for technical education. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

PARIS — Oxford Hills Technical School could break ground for a $2.1 million classroom building this summer if voters in the Oxford Hills School District approve the grant in June, tech school Director Randy Crockett announced this week.

Gov. Janet Mills visited the school Monday to announce federal approval of a $15 million Maine Jobs and Recovery grant for technical education. Oxford Hills Technical School is one of four to benefit from the grant. The others are Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico, Northern Penobscot Tech Region III in Lincoln and Biddeford Regional Center of Technology.

Crockett said if voters accept the money in June, the school would break ground in July for the multi-story building to make its pilot program for electrician training permanent and have space for students to work side-by-side with its plumbing and building trades programs.

“Trade programs equip students with the skills and hands-on experiences they need to get good-paying jobs and rewarding, life-long careers,” Mills said. “Maine desperately needs electricians, welders, plumbers and other skilled workers.” She referenced her administration’s plan that allows high school graduates to enroll in two-year college programs to continue their career technical education.

“Workforce and housing are two of Maine’s biggest priorities and largest challenges right now,” she said. “This is part of the solution to our workforce challenges.”

Connor Cram of Oxford, an Oxford Hills high school senior and third-year plumbing program student, said, “We’re all excited about this expansion. We go out in the field working, learning better, faster ways to do the work. It’s a lot different than learning in the classroom, there are a lot more steps than you think. This new building will make it more like students are actually working out in the field.”

Cram plans to attend Northeast Technical Institute where the plumbing program is combined with heating and HVAC training.