Class Instructor: Rowan Norlander-McCarty

Rowan is the Director of Operations and a lead Instructor at HatchSpace. Rowan has worked as a cabinet maker, fabricator, machine operator, custom millwork installer and educator in woodworking and trades-related disciplines for all ages. A lover of trees from seed to stump, when not in the shop you’ll find Rowan in the forest or the garden.

Class Instructors: Jack Spanierman; Jennifer Stromsten; Christy Betit

Jack is the Workforce Education Specialist at BDCC. He has taught or co-taught a number of workforce classes in various topics such as healthcare, CDL, and digital literacy.

Jennifer is the Director of Programs at BDCC. She oversees all workforce development and education programs. She also provides assistance in the classroom, specifically specializing in regional workforce and employment-related data.

Christy is the Pipelines and Pathways Program Manager, BDCC’s career education program in all of Windham County schools. She provides teaching and technical support for BDCC workforce programs and curricula. 

Program Agreement 

All participants in the Basics in Construction Course must agree to:

• Attend all seven classes.
  Consistent attendance is required as the skills learned in one class build on the next, and catchup work is not always feasible or fair to other participants who have been in regular attendance. That said, we understand extenuating circumstances do occur, and participants may have a maximum of two excused absences. In the event a participant misses more than two classes, they may be dismissed from the program.
• Follow HatchSpace’s Code of Conduct, Shop Safety Rules and other Policies.
  By enrolling in the program, all participants agree to follow all HatchSpace policies, including but not limited to the Code of Conduct & Shop Safety Rules, Nondiscrimination & Sexual Harassment Policy, and Healthy Shop Promise, all of which are available online here. HatchSpace is a working community woodshop and school, and safety is taken very seriously. Any participant who breaks a HatchSpace conduct policy or a shop safety rule may be dismissed from the program.
• No Substance Use, Including No Cannabis Use.
  HatchSpace is a working woodshop that takes safety seriously. Under no circumstances will any individual be permitted to participate in a class or be allowed use of the HatchSpace facilities while under influence of any substance.
• Follow Shop Attire Rules.
  All participants agree to follow HatchSpace’s attire regulations, which are designed for safety in a shop environment, and include: 
  • Long hair must be pulled back and secured
  • No loose clothing may be worn
  • Hoodies must ensure draw strings are tucked in
  • Long sleeves should be rolled up and shirttails must be tucked in or covered by a shop apron
  • Full-length pants must be worn
  • Shoes must be rubber soled and close-toed, no sandals
  • No loose jewelry can be worn, including watches or dangling earrings
•  Wear appropriate PPE as Instructed.
  Participants will be provided with shop safety glasses, ear protection, and respirator face masks as appropriate. Participants agree to wear all personal protective equipment at all times as instructed. 
• Complete HatchSpace’s General Liability Waiver. Participants are also required to sign and agree to a general liability waiver. In short, students acknowledge that participation in classes conducted at HatchSpace is voluntary, and will hold harmless HatchSpace and our partners from any liability concerns.

About HatchSpace: 

HatchSpace was created in 2018 to support community woodworking and education. Our mission is to celebrate and advance the learning, practice, and cultural varieties of woodworking. We provide access to tools and training that help people develop creative confidence and build the things they love, including careers in the trades and crafts. Since our founding, we have enrolled more than 1,400 students and continue to support a growing members community of over 150 people at our 10,000 square foot facility in the heart of Brattleboro, Vt. We have become a growing platform for expanding and sustaining Vermont’s tradition of fine woodworking in ways that are accessible to everyone. Our impact promotes personal development, livelihood support, and community well-being.

HatchSpace offers a year-round calendar of education programs for audiences including participants 12-18 years of age, adults, and seniors. Our programs provide instruction through hands-on experience with materials, tools, equipment, and software. Need-based Scholarships ensure HatchSpace programs are accessible to those interested in participating.

About the Workforce Center of Excellence

The Workforce Center of Excellence (WFCoE) is an employer-driven workforce and career training and education initiative of Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). The WFCoE leverages BDCC’s relationships with employers and workforce development partners, supporting both sides of the labor exchange to connect people with opportunity, and employers with the talent they need. The WFCoE is funded in part by a Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant from the Northern Borders Regional Commission and US Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration (ETA).

Funding under WORC 5 – NBRC via the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as part of an award totaling $1,038,681 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources, and 100% financed with governmental sources.  The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by BDCC, DOL, or the U.S. Government.  For more information, please contact BDCC at ExecutiveDirector@brattleborodevelopment.com.