What does “workforce development” even mean?
What do you think of when you hear workforce development? It’s a buzz word that can mean a lot of different things these days.
For us at Serve Learn Earn, workforce development (WFD) means providing pathways for Vermonters to pursue their career and educational goals. What that looks like is creating programs that train folks in technical skills, professional skills, and provides them hands-on experience in the field and with Vermont employers. It also means supporting folks beyond training. We know that there are systemic barriers that make it harder for some Vermonters to get high-quality work, so we also provide transportation support, housing, access to mental health care, further educational assistance, and many more wrap-around supports. And of course, we pay folks too- making it financially feasible for everyone to pursue training. Beyond directly working with participants, many of our programs work with employers to make their workplaces accessible and welcoming to all folks.
“It [Trailblazers] has given me the opportunity to explore an area of personal potential that I would not otherwise have been able to explore. The internship introduced me to a completely different kind of work experience than I had had before, which was a valuable and broadening experience in and of itself, AND led to ongoing work opportunities.” – Vermont Works for Women Participant
To learn more about how Serve Learn Earn does workforce development, check out the opportunities at our partners Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, ReSOURCE, Vermont Works for Women, and Audubon Vermont.