Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council
Washington, DC – Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) received a national award for its high school career readiness program, Pipelines and Pathways. Yesterday, BDCC won a Gold Rank from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in the category of Talent Development and Retention (IEDC) for the program. IEDC presented the honor was yesterday at an awards ceremony during its annual conference, now underway.
The Pipelines and Pathways Program provides innovative 21st Century skills classes as well as career awareness experiences, worksite tours, job fairs, speaker panels and job shadows. “We launched Pipelines and Pathways to improve outcomes for our young people,” said Adam Grinold, BDCC’s Executive Director. “Christy Betit, our program coordinator, works with every high school in the Brattleboro region to help students develop career plans and skills, and access mentors and workplace experiences. We are thrilled to receive the highest possible award in our industry for this innovative program that invests in our most precious resources – young Vermonters.”
IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships and the year’s most influential leaders. 25 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change. Awards were judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from four countries.
“BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) has had a major impact engaging employers with students,” Grinold explained. “Despite the challenges of virtual learning, BDCC served over 800 students in the past two years. Students are hungry for more workplace experience.”
As the 2021 school year ended, he noted, employers were lined up to provide mentorship to graduating seniors. This summer, with support from the Vermont Department of Labor, 29 students completed a career ed bootcamp. Several were subsequently placed in local internships.
Since launch, P3 has connected over 50 employers with students through professional panels, workplace tours, the Sophomore Summit and mock interviews. P3 is forging partnerships with educators who integrate career education into their curriculum—educators are critical to achieving a holistic approach serving all students.
“The impact on students is most important,” Grinold underscored. “From college-bound STEM students building resumes and prepping for college interviews, to the students who have won scholarships and obtained the Windham Work Ready credential, we see positive outcomes.”
“The Pipelines and Pathways Program is committed to shifting the career ed paradigm,” shared Christy Betit, program Coordinator. “From superintendents to business owners to parents, the community is hungry for this programming. The Pipelines and Pathways brings career education and development to all regional high schoolers to strengthen skills, access opportunities, and slow ‘brain drain’ from southeastern Vermont. Employers struggle to fill quality jobs because of an aging population and an exodus of youth. Positions in manufacturing, healthcare, accounting and more go unfilled. Yet, many kids leave high school unaware of these opportunities. When students become aware of career opportunities, and are properly prepared for a professional environment, a symbiotic relationship occurs. Employers need people; people need opportunities,” Betit stressed.
“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and exemplify the leadership that our profession strives for every day,” said Tom Kucharski, 2021 IEDC board chair and Invest Buffalo Niagara president, and CEO. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing submissions projects, and partnerships have improved regional quality of life.”
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development experiences. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.
About Pipelines & Pathways
BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides employment oriented career-planning for the region’s high school students. It brings training in 21st Century skills, work-based learning, and personal learning plan (PLP) engagement opportunities to all four public high schools in Windham County. The program assists in developing workforce-oriented curricula, expanding classroom relationships, and growing work-based learning through opportunities with local employers. It also supports teachers working face to face with students to implement personal learning plans and seize the myriad opportunities presented by Vermont’s Flexible Pathways Initiative under Act 77. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/workforce/
Adam Grinold, Executive Director
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
(802) 257-7731
agrinold@brattleborodevelopment.com
www.brattleborodevelopment.com
