In Vermont, there are currently more job openings than people to fill them. There are about 25,000 jobs while the unemployment rate sits at 2.2%.In Montpelier, investments in workforce and economic development were a top priority for Gov. Phil Scott and lawmakers during the legislative session, especially with an unprecedented amount of federal funds available. A major spending bill, S.11, signed by Scott, set aside nearly $85 million to stimulate the economy and address the state’s workforce challenges.”It was great to see support for so many initiatives that will help move the needle on our workforce shortage,” Scott said.The Scott administration was joined by business leaders and community partners on Tuesday to celebrate these historic investments and outline key workforce initiatives.”While we’ve got a long way to go, S.11 takes steps to expand the tools in our toolbox as we continue to grow the state’s workforce,” said Michael Harrington, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. Vermont has long struggled with an aging workforce and the pandemic resulted in more early retirements.For manufacturing companies like Vermont Precision Tools, whose workforce is down 10%, the staffing shortage means trying to do more with less. “With less workers, we have to make decisions every day about what new orders we can take and which orders we have to turn down,” said Monica Green of Vermont Precision Tools. “And to replace those lost workers that we’ve seen, we have a huge skills gap to overcome for those looking to enter the workforce for the first time.”New statewide investments will go towards training, recruitment, and retention. For example, $3 million dollars is allocated for the worker relocation program and another $3 million dollars will be used for the trades scholarship program.Meanwhile, at VHV Company, seven students graduated from the construction apprenticeship program, including Per Fjeld who was part of the inaugural class. Fjeld had been working for VHV for about two and a half years and wanted to enhance his skill set.“Trades are convenient because you can take it anywhere, literally. Everywhere needs construction and repair,” Fjeld said.The training program kicked off in 2017 with support from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). The state is committed to funding these types of programs to address the shortfall of trades workers.“I think it’s really key that we provide these apprenticeship opportunities to help people grow and earn a livable wage and also have a career that they can feel really proud of, something they really enjoy doing,” said Sec. Lindsay Kurrle with ACCD.
In Vermont, there are currently more job openings than people to fill them. There are about 25,000 jobs while the unemployment rate sits at 2.2%.
In Montpelier, investments in workforce and economic development were a top priority for Gov. Phil Scott and lawmakers during the legislative session, especially with an unprecedented amount of federal funds available. A major spending bill, S.11, signed by Scott, set aside nearly $85 million to stimulate the economy and address the state’s workforce challenges.
“It was great to see support for so many initiatives that will help move the needle on our workforce shortage,” Scott said.
The Scott administration was joined by business leaders and community partners on Tuesday to celebrate these historic investments and outline key workforce initiatives.
“While we’ve got a long way to go, S.11 takes steps to expand the tools in our toolbox as we continue to grow the state’s workforce,” said Michael Harrington, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor.
Vermont has long struggled with an aging workforce and the pandemic resulted in more early retirements.
For manufacturing companies like Vermont Precision Tools, whose workforce is down 10%, the staffing shortage means trying to do more with less.
“With less workers, we have to make decisions every day about what new orders we can take and which orders we have to turn down,” said Monica Green of Vermont Precision Tools. “And to replace those lost workers that we’ve seen, we have a huge skills gap to overcome for those looking to enter the workforce for the first time.”
New statewide investments will go towards training, recruitment, and retention. For example, $3 million dollars is allocated for the worker relocation program and another $3 million dollars will be used for the trades scholarship program.
Meanwhile, at VHV Company, seven students graduated from the construction apprenticeship program, including Per Fjeld who was part of the inaugural class. Fjeld had been working for VHV for about two and a half years and wanted to enhance his skill set.
“Trades are convenient because you can take it anywhere, literally. Everywhere needs construction and repair,” Fjeld said.
The training program kicked off in 2017 with support from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). The state is committed to funding these types of programs to address the shortfall of trades workers.
“I think it’s really key that we provide these apprenticeship opportunities to help people grow and earn a livable wage and also have a career that they can feel really proud of, something they really enjoy doing,” said Sec. Lindsay Kurrle with ACCD.
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