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RDCs of Vermont to Host Regional Workforce Development Summits

September 27, 2019

Montpelier, Vt. – The Regional Development Corporations (RDCs) of Vermont, in partnership with the Department of Labor (VDOL) and the Vermont State Workforce Development Board (SWDB), have announced the dates for 12 regional workforce development summits, which they will host this fall to support state efforts to increase the size and skill of Vermont’s workforce.

“Tackling Vermont’s workforce shortage has been a top priority of my administration since day one, with initiatives to recruit, retain, train and retrain more Vermont workers,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I’m pleased to see employers, service providers and stakeholders from all sectors coming together to develop regional solutions to workforce development that will better serve all Vermonters.”

A robust, skilled workforce that is large enough to supply the increasing needs of Vermont employers is critical to the state’s ability to meet its obligations and provide a desirable quality of life for all Vermonters. Building upon recent collaborations among the RDCs, employers, educators, state agencies and service providers, the summits will provide actionable solutions for employers and stimulate better coordination and partnership across these stakeholders.

"The regional summits taking place this fall will help expand and strengthen Vermont's workforce,” said Adam Grinold, president of the RDCs of Vermont and chair of the SWDB. “Workforce needs are driven by local demand  we must continue down the path of coordinated efforts across agencies, sectors and industries to connect employer needs with statewide resources, helping grow opportunities for all Vermonters."

The summits will follow the same agenda in each region to meet consistent objectives while encouraging discussion and solutions that meet regional needs. Summit outcomes will be used by each region and the state to strengthen local and statewide workforce development systems, to inform a 2020 statewide workforce summit hosted by VDOL and by the SWDB as it prepares its 2020 Workforce Strategy. The first of the summits will take place on October 3 in Brattleboro.

Regional Workforce Summit Schedule:
Date                      Region                                  Summit Location
October 3           Windham                            SIT Graduate Institute, Brattleboro
October 7           Newport                             North Country Career Center, Newport
October 15         Chittenden County               Delta Hotel, Burlington
October 18         St. Johnsbury                      Northern Vermont University-Lyndon Campus, Lyndonville
October 22         St. Albans                           St. Albans Museum, St. Albans
October 24         Bennington                         Bennington Museum, Bennington
November 6       Central Vermont                  Sugarbush Resort, Warren
November 13     Addison County                   Middlebury College, Middlebury
November 14     Lamoille County                  Green Mountain Tech & Career Center, Hyde Park
November 19     Upper Valley                       Vermont Technical College, Randolph
November 20     Springfield                          River Valley Technical Center, Springfield
November 21     Rutland                              Castleton University, Castleton

For more information, please visit www.vermontworkforce.com.