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Vermont lawmakers hear from Spirit of ADA award winners on inclusive hiring and job‑coach supports
Summary
Two Spirit of ADA award recipients told the Vermont House Commerce & Economic Development Committee that inclusive hiring and vocational coaching expand the talent pool and improve retention; one manufacturer and one retirement community described how partnerships with HireAbility and local schools support placements.
Montpelier — Two recipients of this year’s Spirit of the ADA Awards told the Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development on Feb. 11 that inclusive hiring practices and vocational coaching have helped their businesses fill jobs and retain employees.
Julia Burnfields, the fourth‑generation owner of Berne Chocolates of Vermont, said her South Burlington manufacturer employs about 30 people and ships products to all 50 states. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just initiatives for us. They are foundational to how we’ve built our company,” Burnfields said, adding that hiring through refugee resettlement programs and creating roles for people…
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