I applaud the passing of the Workforce Training Initiative, providing free education through coordination with the Department of Labor and Vermont State College system paid for with CARES Act money. Gov. Scott claims this program will help “thousands gain the skills they need for new careers, filling the many jobs we had available well before the pandemic.”
I anticipate many will be left behind by this initiative. As the director of the Vermont Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, I register and pay tuition for 35 to 40 apprentices yearly. This year, Vermont Technical College handled the tuition and registration process.
Several apprentices have been denied registration due to debt owed to the Vermont State College network. This is a huge failure of the Vermont State College system. On one hand, great initiatives like this one help folks secure employment in Vermont; on the other hand, individuals are experiencing a literal denial to gain necessary training to further their career in a “high-demand, high-paying” job as identified in Pathways to Promising Careers. And the employer is paying!
Trade jobs were affected due to Covid: planned construction slowed, jobs shut down, upgrades and renovations are on hold. Construction workers were also deemed essential. If Vermont wants to keep our skilled trades workers in state, then we must provide the opportunity to enroll in already-existing programs to advance their career.
As Gov. Scott said, we need to fill the many jobs that were available prior to the pandemic. The skilled trades are no exception.
Danielle Bombardier
Colchester
