Brattleboro, Vt. – Commonwealth Dairy today received $57,207 in Vermont Training Program (VTP) grants from the Agency of Commerce & Community Development’s (ACCD) Department of Economic Development to up-skill 147 of its employees.
“Helping Vermont businesses invest in their employees through grants like these demonstrates our commitment to creating brighter economic futures for all Vermont’s workers,” said Governor Phil Scott. “At the same time, this program supports our businesses as they work to thrive and grow right here in Vermont.”
The workforce development grants will support production skills training for current workers, increasing the capacity of Commonwealth’s Brattleboro facility while maintaining quality production of the company’s high-quality Greek yogurt. The training will strengthen employees’ knowledge and ability, helping Commonwealth thrive in the highly-competitive Greek yogurt industry.
“We are delighted to receive funding from the Vermont Training Program,” said Commonwealth Dairy CEO Darcy Zbinovec. “These funds will be instrumental in enhancing the technical skill set of our production workforce. Continually investing in our employees is the single most effective way for us to compete and win in the marketplace.”
Founded in 2011, Brattleboro-based Commonwealth Dairy, LLC manufactures Greek yogurt under the brand name Green Mountain Creamery. It produces and markets dairy products and flavored yogurt (including fruit, low- and non-fat, and Greek-style yogurt), and employs 160+ workers in production and administrative positions.
"Working with Commonwealth Dairy has been a great experience. Whether it is hosting student visits through the BDCC's Fast Tracks to Success program, supporting the Southern Vermont Career Expo or leveraging the Vermont Training Program to invest in their incumbent workforce, Commonwealth has been a leader for employer-led workforce solutions,” said Alex Beck, workforce and education program manager with the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), which helps connect local employers with state resources such as VTP. “Their continued investment in the regions’ future workforce and employees through the Vermont Training Program serves as a great example for employers looking to improve the size and quality of the workforce now and in the future.”
VTP is administered by the Department of Economic Development. It is a workforce development program that seeks to enhance the skills of the Vermont workforce and increase productivity of Vermont employers. Grants may cover up to 50 percent of the training cost, which can either be onsite or through a training provider/vendor.
"The Vermont Training Program is an important state program that allows our employers to make large and impactful investments in our regions workforce. As employers grow and succeed in our region, it helps incumbent workforce grow and succeed along with them,” said BDCC Executive Director Adam Grinold. “We're happy to see Commonwealth Dairy engage with this program and look forward to facilitating similar engagement with other employers looking to invest in new skills and opportunities to their employees.”
For more information on VTP, visit http://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/vtp.
About the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s (ACCD) mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. ACCD accomplishes this mission by providing grants, technical assistance, and advocacy through three divisions: The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information on ACCD please visit accd.vermont.gov.
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