First-Ever Fearless Futures Summit at Twin Valley Middle/High School – Complete!

BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3), in partnership with HireAbility Vermont and Twin Valley Middle High School, hosted its first Fearless Futures Summit on May 2, 2023. Twin Valley’s high school and middles school students took part, along with students from Leland & Gray High School.

The event was designed to connect Windham County’s students with opportunity and some of the limitless, often non-traditional pathways to postsecondary success. The Fearless Futures Summit is more than a traditional career or college fair. Over 50 presenters offered interactive stations to showcase the myriad opportunities at their organization and pathways to success students might not be aware of including:

• High-wage/high-growth employers that offer on-the-job training and educational benefits
• 2 and 4 year colleges offering degrees and credentials
• Additional training pathways that provide Certifications and Credential of Value programs
• Public service such as the military, law enforcement, firefighting and EMT careers
• Volunteer service such as Job Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America
• Business planning and financing resources for young entrepreneurs
• Gap year opportunities
• And more!

The Summit also helps students prepare for the future with a series of Job Readiness stations helped students hone skills they’ll need as they enter the workforce. Kids could hone their “elevator pitch” or make a business cards for networking. They could receive advice on how to develop a professional wardrobe on a budget, or start a Linked-in account. Raffles, photo booths, and lots of snacks, added to the fun of this community-building event designed to make invaluable connections for all involved.

To prepare for the event, students researched postsecondary pathways of interest with their Advisory Groups and came armed with questions to help clarify their goals. They learned about the importance of reputation, social capital, and practiced their non-verbal communication skills such as making eye contact and giving a good handshake.

After the event, students reflected on the experience with their peers and teachers. Those who identified a particular pathway of interest were given support with next steps by Fearless Futures Team Members. The pre and post event activities helped students gain confidence and position themselves for thriving futures in Windham County and beyond.

Fearless Futures is made possible by dozens of volunteers and employers, and the school faculty and staff. To learn more, read the Brattleboro Reformer article and watch the video created by Brattleboro Community Television:

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About Pipelines & Pathways

Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) is a program of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation. 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/ 

Funding for P3 is provided by the McClure Foundation, Vermont Community Foundation, the Windham County Economic Development Program, the George W. Mergens Foundation, M&T Bank, Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls and the West River Education District.