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Vermont Department of Labor outlines expansion plan for registered apprenticeship programs
Summary
The Vermont Department of Labor briefed the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee on Jan. 7 on registered apprenticeship growth, reporting 1,686 active apprentices, new employer‑led occupations, teacher apprenticeship MOU with the Agency of Education, and federal funding opportunities to scale programs.
BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Vermont Department of Labor on Wednesday briefed the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on efforts to expand registered apprenticeship programs statewide, citing recent program growth, targeted outreach, and new federal funding opportunities.
Commissioner Kendall Smith said the briefing was intended to clarify how registered apprenticeships differ from other ‘‘earn‑and‑learn’’ efforts and to highlight the department's 2026 priorities. "If you're in a registered apprenticeship program, the credential that you receive at the end is recognized across state lines," Smith said, stressing portability for graduates.
The department emphasized that registered apprenticeship is employer‑led and subject to national standards. Jay Ramsey, workforce development director, described core program elements that sponsors must document when registering a program, including a training outline, on‑the‑job mentoring and progressive wage increases. "When I'm out and I hear someone say 'apprenticeship,' my follow‑up question is, is it registered?" Ramsey said.
Ramsey presented federal fiscal‑year…
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