As Governor Scott continues to promote CTE programs statewide, he held weekly press conferences at the Green Mountain Tech & Career Center. screen grab. Please click the image to view.

Vermont Business Magazine At the weekly media briefing held in Hyde Park on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott announced new state investments in available career and technical education (CTE) programs, the affordability and accessibility of these programs, and new We emphasized the important role of CTE in infrastructure development. Home here in Vermont.

Governor joins state leaders from Department of Education, Department of Labor, Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (GMTCC), and Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to pass new legislation to further enrich available programs and CTE pathways We discussed the support we received. All Vermonters have access.

For more information, see a transcript of Governor Scott’s statement below or click here to view the press conference.

Governor Scott: Hello, I’m glad you’re here.

Thank you to the 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 the industry.

Now, I am often asked if I enjoy being a governor, and I always say that if you are a governor and you are having a lot of fun, you might not be paying attention.

But today, although the work is challenging, it’s a fun day because I get to work with my hands and make things that I can touch and feel. It has always been my passion.

I started working a little in the cabinet shop at DBI in Morrisville this morning. I also got to talk to some very impressive employees about the intricacies of their work and the pride they take in doing it.

Now, I am here in Lamoille County to shine a spotlight on this amazing program and the amazing students they develop.

And when I leave here, I head to the county’s plumbing and heating site to work with a flight attendant to install a bathroom.

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I know this may not appeal to all governors, but like I said before, these are the days I really enjoy. I learned a lot from doing this when I was working with others, working with others, and walking in someone else’s shoes for a day.

I started this path when I was at Spalding High School in Barre. I took college prep classes in the morning and headed off to the technical school’s mechanical trading program in the afternoon. And when I went to college, I studied to become a CTE instructor. I graduated from UVM as a teacher, but decided to venture into business instead.

So, speaking from my own personal experience, I know that choosing a CTE truck, even if it’s your passion, isn’t always easy.

And we’ve been working to change that. The fact is we need more workers in the industry and these are great careers that more students should consider.

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Think about it for a second. Over the past two years, we’ve put over $1 billion in her. Again, we put $1 billion into infrastructure projects.

This is the money that goes into building homes, thousands of miles of broadband, weatherizing tens of thousands of old homes, installing water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, and repairing roads and bridges. every year.

The bottom line is that we have an incredible amount of work to do. A job that will change the lives of Vermonters and change the state. And the people trying to do it are people trained in the trade.

And we desperately need more talent. So, as I said in his January state address, becoming an electrician, welder, or EMT is just as important and valuable as being an electrician, welder, or EMT. , is impressive. Ivy League education.

So we need to work harder to get our students into these great careers. And that’s what we do.

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This year, we worked with Congress to make smart changes to current policies that will open the door to career and technical education and adult vocational training for more Vermonters.

VSAC’s Scott Giles, French Secretary and Commissioner Harrington will take a few minutes to talk about some new programs we’re rolling out, including the Trades Training Scholarship Program, as well as additional funding for apprenticeships and tool costs.

This includes the one I advocated after seeing it used in the Canaan CTE program. Funds for students to rebuild dilapidated housing in the community. This not only teaches important skills, but also helps add housing stock that we know we desperately need.

These are just a few examples of what we’re trying to enhance and make these programs more accessible, but we know it’s not enough. That’s why we’re also launching a statewide CTE registration campaign for him. Because it’s important to have more Vermonters trained in these skilled jobs.

With our continued focus on the value of these careers, these new investments, and the work of our many partners across the state, we believe we can do just that. A stronger, more prosperous future for Vermont.