News Release -- Vermont Department of Labor
April 26, 2014
Contact:
Rose Lucenti, Workforce Development Director Vermont Department of Labor
Phone: 802-828-4151 or at rose.lucenti@state.vt.us;
RANDOLPH CENTER, Vt. – Gov. Peter Shumlin today addressed the 87 graduates of the Vermont Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship Programs in electrical, plumbing and tramway trades. The programs are run in conjunction with Vermont Technical College under a grant from the Department of Labor. The ceremony was held at the VTC campus in Randolph Center.
"This program is a great example of how Vermont is engaging the workforce in training and development. The graduates will have a bright future in Vermont and earn good wages as skilled tradespeople,” said Governor Shumlin. He said Vermont will be seeking additional federal funding under the recently announced “American Apprenticeship” grant initiatives so that more Vermonters can participate in apprenticeships in new, high-growth fields, including health care, engineering, telecommunications, green energy, information technology, and advanced manufacturing --- all areas where Vermont needs workers.
The Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship programs currently have over 800 students enrolled, with classes held in various locations across the state. The electrical and plumbing programs, with over 500 students, offer some of their class instruction through local Vermont Interactive Television sites to assist students for whom travel to classes might not be an option.
The Apprenticeship program is a “Learn while you Earn” model whereby students are earning wages while they are training, connecting their classroom experience with real life work. In some programs, apprentices can earn an industry-recognized credential and college credits. Over the course of a career, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that a registered apprentice program is worth more than $300,000 additional salary.
“The apprenticeship programs are an excellent re-entry point into the work world for veterans, displaced workers, long-term unemployed persons, as well as a starting point for recent high school and college graduates who are looking for career options”, said Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan.
For more information on the State Registered Apprenticeship Program, contact Judy Bourbeau at the Vermont Department of Labor at judy.bourbeau@state.vt.us or call her at 802-828-5250. For more information about Vermont Technical College, please visit www.vtc.edu.