Vermont Works for Women

Wow, what a way to celebrate our 25th Women Can Do! Last week hundreds of high school girls and gender-expansive students joined VWW and over 80 employers for a day of career exploration. Students explored STEM and trades careers through hands-on activities like welding, operating heavy machinery, intubating a patient, and much more! Thank you to all of the organizations and employers who participated in the action expos and resource hall. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, and VTSU who made this conference possible. A special thank you to our sponsors supporting Vermont’s next-generation workforce. Our Visionary level sponsors: Verizon and Vermont Department of Labor Our Innovator level sponsors: Greenbacker , Hayward Tyler, NorthCountry Federal Credit Union , The J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation, Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) , Vermont Gas Systems (VGS), Vermont Mutual Insurance Group , EastRise Credit Union Our Collaborator level sponsors: Alger Brook Design Build, Champlain Cable Corporation, Generac, Encore Renewable Energy, GlobalFoundries, Green Mountain Power, M&T Bank, Marvell Technology, National Life Group, New England Air Systems, Passumpsic Bank, Pike Industries, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), VHV Company, Vermont Agency of Transportation, Vermont Community Broadband Board, Vermont Federal Credit Union, and the Vermont Space Grant Consortium. Our Builder level sponsors: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, DEW Construction, Dynapower, Engineering Ventures, PC, Hallam-ICS, Hanson + Doremus Investments, Hireability Vermont, Husky Technologies, Hypertherm Associates, Norwich Solar, Price Chopper Golub Foundation, Quantum Leap Capital, LLC , Rhino Foods, Inc., Sheehey Furlong & Behm P.C. And our Designer level sponsors: Better Business Bureau, Community Bank NA, Community College of Vermont - Springfield, Girls on the Run VT, Ledyard National Bank , Mascoma Bank, NRG Systems, PuroClean Managed Services of Vermont , UVM Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, and Waitsfield and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom

We’re Hiring! Join our dynamic team to collaboratively plan and implement VWW’s traditional Trailblazers trades training program, while taking a lead role in the development of a new semiconductor manufacturing “quick start” training. If you are well-organized, have experience in program development, and are inspired by our mission of promoting economic justice by advancing gender equity and supporting women and youth along their career journeys, visit to https://buff.ly/3XQiCFF learn more and apply.  

Vermont Works for Women, Mercy Connections Inc, CVOEO, and the Center for Women & Enterprise are hosting another installment of Sisterhood of the Dreaded Elevator Pitch, a collaborative effort to support women entrepreneurs, on Friday, October 18 from 10:00 AM– 11:30AM at the Vermont Comedy Club at 101 Main Street in Burlington. Coffee/networking and check-in from 9:30-10:00AM. At Sisterhood of the Dreaded Elevator Pitch’s Taking the Next Step: Speaking with Confidence for Women Entrepreneur, participants will learn about cultural perceptions of women, leadership and communication, speaking and voice mechanics, and self-confidence when communicating. You will walk away empowered to take the next step in communication for your business by reframing your mindset to speak confidently in public. Facilitated by Elizabeth Rose, Speech and Accent Coach of The Speech Workroom, this is sure to be an impactful and supportive workshop. We welcome all people who identify as women regardless of assignment at birth, or gender-expansive folks who are comfortable in a woman-centered space. Register at: https://lnkd.in/emrfXPyJ

In July, VWW welcomed Joy VerPlanck, Rhiannon Johnson, and Amber Lessard to our Board of Directors. They each bring a passion for our mission and unique skills that will serve our organization as we head into our next strategic planning period. Please join us in welcoming Joy, Rhiannon, and Amber!

Last week we graduated our first ever “Southern Vermont” Trailblazers cohort! 11 graduates learned basic skills in carpentry and construction, participated in work experiences with local employers, and completed a community build project for the Boys and Girls Club of Brattleboro. Thanks to HatchSpace for being such a great host and partner! Visit our blog to read more about the Brattleboro Trailblazers: https://lnkd.in/eYk_UkDX

We spent our weekend participating in the STEM Hangar at Green Mountain Aviation Field Days! One aspect that this event provides is an opportunity to break down barriers for youth to get involved with aviation, learn about career opportunities happening today, and celebrate what aviation means to Burlington, VT. We were so glad to be a part of such a wonderful weekend! https://lnkd.in/e94rGTZ7

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins this week, and to celebrate we are recognizing Ellen Ochoa, the first female Latina to go to space! She was also the first Latina director and the second female director of Johnson Space Center and had three patents for her work in optical systems.

Last week was our annual Staff and Board Retreat, a time for us all to come together is work through and discuss our goals for the organization, and to celebrate our past successes. A huge thank you to VSAC for hosting and to Sarah with Hedgehog + Fox Collaborative for facilitating thoughtful and transformative conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming strategic plan!

Sometimes the best hands-on learning isn’t planned! Trailblazers’ instructor Tammy met Anneke, and she invited our Brattleboro Trailblazers to visit the build-site of her timber frame home. Timber frame homes are built from large wood posts and beams that form the structural support of the house and are often more environmentally friendly than traditional homes built with concrete and steel. Thanks Anneke for sharing your knowledge!”

Are you seeking employment in Vermont's climate workforce? Apply for our new partnership with Vermont Adult Learning, Trailblazers: Energy Works in Rutland - hurry, there are only two weeks left to apply! During the eight week program, participants will will gain skills and industry recognized credentials in basic construction, weatherization, heat pump installation, and more. To apply and learn more visit: https://lnkd.in/gzQWwxyY