Associated Builders and Contractors unveils Chittenden County training center to expand construction apprenticeships

At a meeting of the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee, a representative of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) described plans for a training center in Chittenden County intended to speed apprenticeships, recruit new workers and connect career‑technical graduates to employers.

"The stated purpose of this facility is to provide clear advancement routes to new contractors, act as a magnet to attract prospective career candidates, and we also want to promote the value of a career in construction," said Matt, a representative of the Associated Builders and Contractors' New Hampshire‑Vermont chapter, describing the project and the association’s role as statewide NCCER sponsor.

Why it matters: Committee members were presented with a concrete workforce‑development initiative that aims to fill immediate employer needs in commercial carpentry and related trades, and to create a bridge from career‑technical education (CTE) programs into paid jobs. Speakers requested legislative and programmatic support for employer training incentives and equipment grants.

Project details: The association said it has secured a roughly 10,000‑square‑foot facility in Chittenden County near Interstate 89 and intends to complete major interior work by mid‑March, with instruction beginning in April. The center will deliver NCCER‑based curriculum for commercial carpentry and an employer‑sponsored apprenticeship program with three components: on‑the‑job training, classroom instruction using NCCER materials, and weekly in‑facility training with a full‑time instructor.

Planned offerings include a 6–8 week pre‑apprenticeship aimed at recent CTE graduates and other entrants, plus longer apprenticeship tracks. ABC said the first phase will emphasize commercial carpentry and that organizers plan to add masonry, welding, cabinetry and painting programs over time. The association set an initial goal of placing about 100 participants through the center in the first 12 months.

Policy requests and employer supports: Matt proposed two state policy options to help the center and employer partners:

- A Vermont corporate tax credit to help employers defray costs when they send staff to state‑recognized credential programs (including NCCER), with language and fiscal estimates to be developed for committee consideration.

- A smaller, state equipment grant program capped at a suggested maximum (speaker proposed a notional $100,000 cap per award) to help training centers purchase simulators, specialized tools and other costly equipment that advances technical instruction.

Committee response and next steps: Committee members expressed interest and asked for follow‑up. Lawmakers invited ABC and partner organizations to provide suggested language and cost estimates for a tax credit and to coordinate with the education committee on CTE and pre‑apprenticeship alignment. Members also discussed scheduling a site visit once the facility reaches the hard‑hat phase.

Ending: Organizers asked the committee to consider how modest, targeted fiscal supports could expand employer capacity to train and retain workers; committee members asked for follow‑up materials and indicated they would review possible finance options and other supports.