Southern Vermont Workforce Center of Excellence

The So.VT Workforce Center of Excellence is a hub-and-spoke model of relationships and resources, with the BDCC serving as a major convening entity between the Private, Public, and Social sectors. As the BDCC continues to be recognized throughout the State and Northeast for its Workforce Development initiatives, this innovative rural workforce model positions us to support all workforce efforts in Windham County with our staff and resources.

The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation has designed and is implementing a number of Workforce Development programs to increase the size and quality of the workforce throughout the Windham Region, a key components of Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies.

As an organization, our focus is on jobs and employment pathways that are high-wage, high-demand, high-need, and high-opportunity. We know that people need opportunity and employers need people.

To understand these opportunities, BDCC and SeVEDS launched a new Hiring Needs Assessment initiative in 2019 to identify promising occupational sectors and gather real-time data about related skills, career pathways, and opportunities in the coming 1-5 years. Visit our publications page to view these reports.

Workforce Center of Excellence Brochure 

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International Economic Development Council Award

In 2021, BDCC’s high school readiness program, Pipelines and Pathways, won a Gold Rank in the Talent Development and Retention category from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Northeast Economic Development Association (NEDA) Award

The NEDA Board of Directors and 2016 Annual Conference Awards Committee recognized the Windham Region Workforce Center of Excellence as our 2016 Program of the Year for communities smaller than 50,000 in population. NEDA defines the Program of the Year as a multi-phased, multi-disciplined and multi-year series of activities and projects that successfully achieve a goal established in your local community’s economic development strategic plan.

To learn more about the awards this program has won, see the Awards & Recognition page 

About Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC):

BDCC’s Workforce Center of Excellence (WFCoE) is a workforce and career training and education initiative that supports youth, adults, New Americans, and women in taking their next step in a career pathway. Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) provides one-to-one assistance, supportive services and career readiness training. The WFCoE leverages BDCC’s relationships with employers and regional 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 by a Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant from the Northern Borders Regional Commission and US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

Pathways of Vermont

Pathways of Vermont is a project started by Angela Snow from To The Moon Productions, with support from BDCC, to show that a four-year collage pathway is not the only way to have an “interesting, lucrative and sustainable life.”  This…

WRCC Students Attend Mini-Reality Fair

Nicole Awaad’s Foundations class at the Windham Regional Career Center recently participated in a Mini-Reality Fair sponsored by BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3). P3 has planned and sponsored a large-scale Reality Fair for the past two Octobers for all…

GROW Program Welcomes Newcomers

BDCC and Local Partners to Participate in Statewide Network BRATTLEBORO, VT – Vermont is aging. We face declining school populations, a dwindling pool of volunteers who keep our communities running, and a labor shortage affecting everything from healthcare to trucking.…

L&G’s 7th Senior Survival Cohort Survives!

Students from this year’s graduating class at Leland & Gray just completed a rigorous semester of resume writing, informational and mock interviews, professionalism training, and more, as part of  Senior Survival, a credit-bearing, required course. This is the seventh cohort…

Twin Valley’s P3 Class Goes On the Road

Under the exceptional leadership of Twin Valley Instructor, Erin Lovett-Sherman, the Pipelines and Pathways course has taken off!  One of the most important elements of career education is connecting students with real life opportunities. This includes field trips. The small…

Foundations Course at WRCC is Vital!

Nicole Awwad leads the Career Foundations course at the Windham Regional Career Center. This class is designed to give younger students a deeper dive into identifying their passions and aptitudes, then connecting them to real life experiences that will clarify…

First Annual Crash Course Carnival a Success!

Guidance Counselor Sarah Grasso led the charge at Leland & Gray’s first-ever “Crash Course Carnival”. The Carnival is a prelude to Senior Survival, and one part in the L&G and P3 effort to create a more holistic approach to postsecondary…

WRCC Professional Communications Students Make Connections

BDCC’s P3 Program has partnered with the Windham Regional Career Center to support students in the Professional Communications course. One area of focus is preparing students to pursue their professional goals, and the students have done a fantastic job preparing…

‘Out in the world’: Reality Fair opens eyes of students

By Chris Mays, October 20, 2023 Original article with video and photo essay by Kristopher Radder can be found at https://www.reformer.com/local-news/out-in-the-world-reality-fair-opens-eyes-of-students/article_dd527e48-6e9b-11ee-95eb-cf8593a51e47.html   TOWNSHEND — Outside Leland & Gray Union Middle High School stood a sign that read: Adulting 101. Stations at…

WRCC Biz Classes Always Clutch Performers for P3

WRCC Business and Entrepreneurship Instructor, Linda Alvarez, is always innovating. She runs an engaging classroom with her students who clearly adore her and enjoy studying the content she creates. What’s more, her students are always showing up to support P3.…