Vt. looks to strengthen career and technical education
A winter scene by the Ottauquechee River Trail in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
As Career and Technical Education Month continues nationwide, the state of Vermont is focusing on ways to enhance career and technical education opportunities and grow the state’s workforce, in the face of recent workforce declines.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a proclamation establishing that same month-long recognition for February in the Green Mountains. Scott’s recent state budget address emphasized career education, and the Legislature is also exploring ways to support these programs. The governor said the state “desperately needs to grow its workforce,” especially in the trades, and he looks forward to working with lawmakers on that goal.
“Whether it’s plumbers, electricians, line workers, fiber splicers, or mechanics, Vermont has thousands of these jobs that need to be filled,” Scott said at a Tuesday press conference.
In his Tuesday remarks, the governor noted his budget plan has $10 million for reducing education costs for those working toward careers in the trades, which includes $3 million to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation for those enrolling in training or certification programs. Scott also said the state is launching a $1.4 million recruitment campaign for career and technical education enrollment, which includes engaging with students and parents at the middle and high school levels.
He also said Vermont has to work to reduce the stigma around career and technical education.
“It’s time we recognize that going into the trades is just as impressive, and in fact can be just as lucrative, as a four-year degree,” Scott said.
Additionally, with a $90 million surplus projected for the education fund, Scott is proposing putting $45 million of that money toward upgrades for career and technical education centers in Vermont. There are 17 such educational centers across the state.
“As we spend billions in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding, in addition to all the money from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we’re going to need more people who have the skills to weatherize homes, build bridges, install and connect fiber optic cables, and so much more,” Scott said. “We can’t let this moment pass, because the time to invest is now.”
— Gareth Henderson
