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Builders and retailers urge expanded CTE access; groups offer Bright Futures mentorship and apprenticeship support
Summary
Construction trade groups and the Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Association urged clearer CTE pathways and capacity for students, previewed the Bright Futures showcase and a May 6 middle‑school pilot, and offered to assist with mentorships and local outreach.
Representatives of construction trade groups and the Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Association told the Senate Education Committee on March 17 that stronger career and technical education (CTE) pathways are essential to meet workforce needs.
Jeremy Baker, who identified himself as representing RK Miles and as chair of a builders’ legislative committee, said the state must move from intent to action to ensure every interested student has access to CTE programs. "What we are asking for is a clear path and opportunity for every student that has an interest in learning in the building trades," Baker said. He warned that limited program capacity and inconsistent access have left some students without options.
Baker said, in his view, a bill tied to CTE (S313) had recently advanced on the Senate floor; that characterization was presented as his account of recent floor activity and was not independently confirmed during the hearing. Committee members and witnesses agreed that passing intent does not guarantee delivery, and speakers urged clearer implementation steps.
Representatives of the Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Association described Bright Futures, a program that brings roughly 200–225 students to a Randolph campus showcase. The association representative said the event pairs students with mentors and exposes them to careers, apprenticeships and hands‑on demonstrations; the group is launching a middle‑school pilot on May 6. "We bring about 200, 225 children from across the state to the Randolph campus," the speaker said, and invited legislators to attend the showcase and an awards ceremony.
Business owners and association members also said CTE pathways can support entrepreneurship and local business succession, noting the state’s tight labor market for trades. Witnesses offered to help with town‑level outreach, mentoring and apprenticeship connections to ensure students who show interest are not shut out by program capacity.
Committee members thanked witnesses for the outreach offers; no formal committee action was recorded on CTE policy during the session.
