Vermont adult-learning students and providers tell House Education committee programs boost jobs, retention

Lawmakers heard testimony April 25 from students and program partners at the Vermont State House about the role Vermont Adult Learning programs in job placement, workplace readiness and community services.

The accounts focused on two linked outcomes: students gaining basic education and credentials, and employers — notably the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s weatherization program — hiring workers who completed short workforce training. The committee convened the session as part of Adult Education and Literacy Advocacy Day.

Dwight DeCoster, director of Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s weatherization program, told the committee the largest barrier to serving low-income Vermonters is staffing. “The single greatest limiting factor to the weatherization program in Vermont in helping our neighbors with low income is the ability to find, hire, and keep staff to do that challenging work that we do,” DeCoster said. He said his Colchester and Middlebury offices were currently short five to six crew members and that for every crew member missing, about 10 families go unserved in his service area.

Bobby Sweeney, a crew member at CVOEO’s weatherization program, described entering the field after completing Vermont Adult Learning’s “energy works” weatherization course and related workforce-readiness training. “Without Vermont adult learning, I would have never been lucky enough to find the career of my dreams,” Sweeney said, describing hands-on training, OSHA-10 and other certifications, and a job-shadow that led to work at CVOEO.

Program partners and students highlighted practical credentials and employer-aligned training. Testimony referenced OSHA-10 safety training and NCCER credentialing (NCCER: National Center for Construction Education and Research) and described a mix of classroom instruction, hands-on tool training and one-on-one job shadowing that sped new hires onto crews.

Several students spoke about broader outcomes from Central Vermont Adult Education and other Vermont Adult Learning providers. Mina Amadi, a student at Central Vermont Adult Education in Montpelier, said English classes twice a week helped her find paid caregiving work and build community ties. Henigo Bello said English instruction enabled him to join the Vermont Army National Guard and pursue college courses. A student identified as Leighton Sam said flexible scheduling and one-on-one supports allowed him to get back on track and expect a diploma by spring.

Speakers also noted nontechnical supports the programs provide: resume and interview help, assistance creating accounts on Vermont Job Link, and first-aid and CPR training that increases worker confidence on crews. Program staff and students credited staff members named in testimony — Val and Haley (Vermont Adult Learning), Punyo and Paula (instructors) — with intensive supports, job placement help and organizing cultural and classroom activities.

No formal votes or committee actions were recorded during the testimony. Witnesses repeatedly asked for continued legislative support for adult education funding and for recognition of the programs’ roles in workforce development and community integration.

The committee reconvened at 1 p.m. after the testimony concluded. Members and witnesses said the student stories are a key reason the programs receive support and attention from the legislature.