Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Reentry Workforce topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Labor department outlines job‑center supports, employer outreach and in‑facility job fairs
Summary
The Vermont Department of Labor described job‑center case management, Vermont JobLink, employer engagement tools including bonding and a pilot in‑facility job fair; regional managers said workshops and on‑site resume work aim to connect people before release.
Department of Labor officials told a joint hearing that workforce services are integral to supporting people as they exit incarceration and reenter communities. Shea Ramsey, director of workforce development, said the department focuses on four goals: preparation for work, early access to career guidance, building training pathways (including apprenticeships), and strengthening employment outcomes to reduce recidivism.
Cindy Robler, assistant director, explained that Vermont JobLink serves as the state’s job‑matching and case‑management system and that the 11 American Job Centers across Vermont coordinate referrals, training supports and employer outreach. DOL staff described tools used to encourage employer hiring of justice‑affected people, including bonding (insurance to reassure employers) and work opportunity tax incentives.
Regional managers described a new set of in‑facility enrichment workshops and a pilot job fair inside a corrections facility. Dean Matwica, regional manager for the Southeast, said the first in‑facility job fair had about five employers and four partner agencies; DOL staff said the events include pre‑visits and employer briefings to reduce stigma and logistical concerns.
Committee members queried how DOL tracks outcomes; DOL staff said federal performance measures exist (numbers served, exits to employment) and offered to provide regional metrics. Officials described practical barriers the teams address: lack of identification documents, transportation, and employer restrictions for certain convictions. DOL and CCV staff said they are adding steps to flag enrolled students before out‑of‑state transfers and are piloting a tabling presence in job centers and community locations to make programs easier to access.
No formal votes or funding decisions were made. DOL committed to sharing performance figures and to continue coordinating with DOC and CCV to expand pilots and address operational barriers.
