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Governor Scott held his weekly press conference at the Green Mountain Tech and Career Center as he continues to push for CTE programs across the state. Grab a screen. Tap the image to view.
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott highlighted career and technical education (CTE) programs, new state investments in capacity and access to these programs and the important role of CTE in new infrastructure and development at his weekly media briefing in Hyde Park on Tuesday. Homestead here in Vermont.
The governor met with state leaders from the Education Agency, Department of Labor, Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (GMTCC) and Vermont Student Support Corporation (VSAC) to discuss programs and newly passed grants that will further support CTE pathways. Accessible to all Vermonters.
More details can be found in the transcript of Governor Scott’s remarks below or to view the press release by clicking here.
Governor ScottGood afternoon, great to be here.
Thank you to Green Mountain Tech and Career Center for hosting us and to everyone who joined us today to talk about the importance of CTE and careers in business.
Now, I’m often asked if I’m having fun as a ruler, and I always say, if you’re a ruler and you’re having a lot of fun, you might not be paying attention.
But today is such a day – while it’s still a challenging job – it’s fun because I get to work with my hands and build something that you can touch and feel, which is always my passion.
I started this morning at the Morrisville DBI where I worked a little in their cabinet shop and also got to talk with some of the most amazing employees about the intricacies of their work and the pride they take in what they do.
Now I’m here in Lamoille County to focus on this great program and the great students they raise.
And when I get out of here, I head to the County Plumbing and Heating Works site to work with the crew on the bathroom installation.
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I know this won’t appeal to every buyer, but like I said before, these are the days I really enjoy it. I did this on a daily tour of Vermont where I was Lt. Governor, and I learned a lot by working with others and walking in someone else’s shoes for a day.
I started down this path when I was at Spalding High School in Barre. I took college prep classes in the morning and headed to vocational school in the machine trade program in the afternoon. And when I went to college, I studied to become a CTE teacher. I graduated from UVM with a degree in teaching but decided to try business instead.
So, I can speak from personal experience that choosing a CTE track is not always easy, even if it is your passion.
And we were working to change that. Because the truth is, we need a lot of workers in the business, and these are great jobs that many students should consider.
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Think about this for a minute: In the last two years, we’ve put over a billion dollars — let me repeat that — a billion dollars into infrastructure projects.
This money goes into housing, building thousands of miles of broadband, weatherizing tens of thousands of older homes, installing water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, and repairing our roads and bridges—and all of this is on top of the regular maintenance we do. every year.
The bottom line is, we have an incredible amount of work to do – work that will change the lives of Vermonters and change our state. And those who are going to do it are people who are trained in the business.
And we desperately need more of them, which is why — as I said in my State of the State address in January — being an electrician, welder, or EMT is just as important, rewarding, and amazing. An Ivy League education.
Therefore, we must get serious about doing more to point students to these great jobs. And that is what we are doing.
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We worked with the Legislature this year to make smart changes to current policy so we can open the door to career and technical education and adult trade training for more Vermonters.
In a few minutes, Scott Giles from VSAC, Secretary French and Commissioner Harrington will talk about some new programs, such as the trade training scholarship program and more money for training and equipment costs.
This includes something I advocated for after seeing it used in Canaan’s CTE program: funding for students to rehabilitate blighted homes in their communities. Not only does this teach important skills, but it also helps add to our living room, which we know we desperately need.
These are just a few examples of how we’re trying to strengthen programs and make them easier to access, but we know that’s not enough. Therefore, we are launching a statewide CTE enrollment campaign, because it is imperative that we get more Vermonters into these skilled jobs.
I am confident that we will be able to do this as we continue to focus on the value of these skills, these new investments and the work of our many partners across the state, which will benefit us all as we work to build it. A stronger, more prosperous future for Vermont.
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