Barre, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Education announced this week the start of two major initiatives to develop state-wide career pathways in advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.
The Agency of Education is working in close collaboration with employers, regional CTE centers, high schools and colleges in Vermont to coordinate efforts and create opportunities to provide seamless transitions for Vermont students when they graduate high school. Manufacturing companies are actively involved in the process of designing these pathways so that students graduate high school with credentials and certifications the companies value.
“Starting these initiatives now is particularly important because it will help reduce the impact of retirements across the advanced manufacturing industry in Vermont, said Governor Scott. “In addition, cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country and world. By developing a K-16 cybersecurity career pipeline, we have the opportunity to develop and attract high-paying tech sector jobs through a skilled, in-demand workforce,” Governor Scott said.
Last legislative session, the Scott Administration created in statute and funded a Cybersecurity Operations Center in collaboration with Norwich University. Additionally, The Agency of Education and several regional CTE centers are working together with colleges and universities in Vermont and across the country, the Agency of Digital Services, and companies across a number of sectors to develop and adopt this Career Pathway for high school CTE students.
“We hear about cybersecurity every day in the news. It’s not going to go away. We have taken important steps toward creating what we believe will be the first state-wide cybersecurity program for high school students in the nation. These jobs are in high demand and are a good career option for our students,” said Jay Ramsey, the state’s Director of Career Technical Education.
Teachers from technical centers are attending professional development activities this summer to further prepare them for the creation and development of the Career Pathway in Cybersecurity.
“The efforts in these two sectors are part of a targeted approach by the State of Vermont and specifically the Agency of Education to engage schools, technical centers, colleges and universities, economic development organizations, and employers in collaborative strategies that help create a stronger workforce and a strong Vermont economy,” said Deputy Secretary Heather Bouchey.
For additional information, including upcoming career pathway events, contact Dr. Oscar Aliaga, State Career Pathways Coordinator (oscar.aliaga@vermont.gov).
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