Serve Learn Earn coalition briefs Senate committee, asks to raise base funding

Representatives of the Serve Learn Earn coalition told the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee on Thursday that sustained public funding has allowed the partnership to expand high-quality paid training and service opportunities across Vermont and asked the Senate to raise the program's base appropriation.

"Since 2021, SERVE LEARNARD has been on a mission, to create high quality paid training and service opportunities across the state," Kate Gluckman said in the presentation to the committee. She described a networked approach that connects career exploration for teens, AmeriCorps and adult workforce programs and reported program-level outcomes and funding figures to the panel.

The coalition described Serve Learn Earn as a continuum of 14 programs that provide paid service, industry-recognized credentials and placement with employers. Gluckman said the collaboration serves Vermonters "ages 14 years through adults," and highlighted partnerships with AmeriCorps Serve Vermont, the Vermont Department of Labor and local CTE centers.

Why it matters: committee members stressed the connection between the coalition's training and workforce needs, particularly in the forest-products and construction sectors. Several members noted Serve Learn Earn fills gaps between K–12, CTE and higher…