Free Vt. courses offered to fortify careers, grow economy
Route 12 near the Woodstock-Barnard line. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
A new scholarship program is offering free career training to Vermont workers as the state looks to strengthen its pandemic recovery efforts.
Announced Tuesday, the Upskill Vermont Scholarship Program is a partnership between the University of Vermont and Community College of Vermont. UVM and CCV are giving Vermont residents the opportunity to take up to two courses for free over the next year, with the particular hope of helping those needing new skills or career paths in the aftermath of COVID-19.
The program will be available while funds last, and it is backed by about $4 million in federal relief funds allocated this year by the state Legislature. The goal is to enroll at least 500 Vermont residents through the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters, according to state officials. The program also includes career counseling workshops that connect Vermonters with potential employers in the state.
On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott said Upskill Vermont is a key part of Vermont’s focus on workforce development.
“As we recover from the pandemic, it’s so important that we take advantage of all the funding opportunities that we’ve been handed, to make transformative investments that will help us rebuild stronger than before,” Scott said at a press conference.
The focus of the program’s courses are in three areas: the digital economy, healthcare, and leadership and management. Dr. Patricia Prelock, provost and senior vice president of UVM, is also a pediatric health care provider and researcher.
“I know first-hand just how critical it is to get more Vermonters working in these three important, high-demand areas and growing fields that the governor shared,” she said at Tuesday’s briefing.
Joyce Judy, president of CCV, said this is the perfect opportunity for any Vermonter needing to upgrade their job skills or re-direct their career.
“This is a time that makes higher education truly affordable in Vermont,” she said.
Judy added that Upskill Vermont was built in collaboration with local businesses, to make sure the educational training matches what’s most needed in today's marketplace. The classes include cybersecurity, bookkeeping, graphic design, and integrative health, among other major topics.
This effort also builds on the more than two-dozen collaborations between UVM and CCV over the years, Prelock noted.
“Together, our course offerings can meet the needs of more people than either institution could achieve on its own,” she said.
While students can use the credits they earn towards a degree, this scholarship is intended to give them practical skills that can be implemented immediately within their chosen field. A number of certificate classes that can be achieved in one or two courses are offered as part of this scholarship.
Space is limited, so interested Vermonters are encouraged to sign up soon. For more information and to begin the registration process, visit UpSkillVermont.org.
— Gareth Henderson
