In July, the University of Vermont (UVM) and Community College of Vermont (CCV) launched the Upskill Vermont Scholarship Program, which is intended to address the training needs of the state's workforce.
According to a news release, the $1 million program, funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, is for unemployed or underemployed individuals seeking new opportunities through career change or advancement in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency.
The response to the program, designed to enable Vermont residents to get free access to career advancement and academic success workshops and take up to two free college courses resulting in college credit or a professional certificate program in the 2021-22 academic year, was overwhelming.
The institutions intended to provide courses to 550 students for this round of the grant. UVM and CCV say about 500 Vermonters signed up for courses in the first two days that the program was offered, and more than 100 Vermonters signed up for the free career workshops.
While the colleges had to stop accepting applications for the free courses, they say that there are still slots available for the career workshops this fall. Meanwhile, they say they are maintaining a waiting list for the free courses.
The courses focus on the digital economy, health care, and leadership and management - all areas that the program's organizers have identified as “lending themselves to jobs and careers that are in need of more talent in Vermont now and in the near future.”
Certificate courses in which Vermonters showed the most interest included Digital Marketing, Cannabis Plant Biology, Cannabis Science and Medicine, GIS and Data Communication, Culinary Nutrition, and End-of-Life Care.
While students can use the credits toward a degree, this scholarship is intended to give them practical skills that can be implemented immediately within their chosen field. A number of certificate classes that can be achieved in one or two courses are offered as part of this scholarship.
Free career workshops
The free career workshops are being offered to assist Vermonters in identifying the pathway to achieve their career goals and help position them for academic and professional success.
The free career and academic success workshops will be offered digitally, starting Monday, Aug. 16.
Interested Vermonters are encouraged to begin the registration process soon, as space is limited.
For more information and to begin the registration process, visit UpSkillVermont.org.