Vermont women learn green plumbing, electrical skills

BARRE, VT. — Sixteen women from across Vermont are learning valuable job skills this summer in a new pre-apprenticeship job training program created and offered by Vermont Works for Women and funded by Vermont Green, a program of Central Vermont Community Action Council Inc. The seven-week apprenticeship program provides women with 60 hours of on-the-job technical training in either the green plumbing or green electrical field.

“This program is an important opportunity for women looking to become economically independent in fields where there is tremendous opportunity for growth and advancement,” said Tiffany Bluemle, executive director of Vermont Works for Women. “We hope to be able to sustain the program in the years ahead so that more women in Vermont will be able to take advantage of it.”

In addition to the hands-on plumbing and electrical training, participants learn job development and retention skills geared toward helping them be successful in their new non-traditional careers. The feedback has been positive.

“I’m just excited to be a part of it and so thankful that I got a chance to do it; it’s a great chance to better my life,” exclaimed Mel White from Rutland. Danielle Bombadier of Colchester enjoys the “awesome hands-on opportunities” and is “excited about the green focus” of the training. Tammy Wells of Highgate commented that, “just being selected for the program gave me confidence and helped me believe in myself. “

The program is made possible through Vermont Green funding with the support of the United Association Plumber and Pipefitters Local 693, IBEW Local 300 and the Vermont Department of Labor. Vermont Green, a program of the Central Vermont Community Action Council, is a diverse statewide public-private partnership preparing workers for a variety of green jobs. Funding for these initiatives is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Labor.

Vermont Works for Women is a non-profit organization founded in 1987 to help women and girls recognize their potential, and explore, pursue, and excel in work that leads to economic independence. Through innovative programming, VWW assists women and girls in thinking about their lives in the broadest terms and helps them develop skills and capacities critical to their long-term economic self-sufficiency.

Additional information is available from Lucy Comstock-Gay at 802/655-8900, ext. 110, cell 603-731-6041 or [email protected].