Workforce Development Initiatives Aim to Retain and Upskill Workers

The Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committee continued to take testimony on the workforce development bill. Attempting to address the most severe workforce shortage in recent memory, the bill includes incentives aimed at retaining workers, such as forgivable loans for recent college graduates and nursing students who commit to work in Vermont, scholarships for students in the trades, and grants to retain New Americans. The Committee also took a closer look at portions of the bill aimed at training and upskilling Vermonters, with the objective of achieving the goal of 70% of Vermonters attaining a credential of value by 2025, which will facilitate career advancement. This bill is expected to be voted out of committee next week.