Vermont Training Program (VTP)

Vermont Training Program (VTP) is sponsored by Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The VTP partners with employers and training providers to train Vermont's employees, providing performance-based workforce grants for pre-employment training, new hires, and incumbent workers. The program aims to enhance employee skills, increase worker productivity, and improve competitive edge.

Vermont Training Program (VTP) | Agency of Commerce and Community Development Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) BIPOC Business and Career Assistance Program Brownfields Revitalization Fund State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Rural Industry Development Program (RIDP) Vermont Training Program (VTP) Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC) Vermont Training Program (VTP) What is the Vermont Training Program (VTP)?

For over 30 years, the Vermont Training Program (VTP) has partnered with employers of all sizes and training providers to prepare Vermont's employees for the jobs of tomorrow. VTP provides performance-based workforce grants for pre-employment training, training for new hires, and training for incumbent workers. This training can either be on-site or offered through an outside provider.

VTP grants may cover up to 50% of the training cost. The program also works with eligible employers to introduce manufacturers and other regionally significant employers to Vermont students at every level. Employers who provide work-based learning programs or activities developed in partnership with a school or educational program may apply to VTP for a grant to offset the costs of providing these programs.

This work supports several different types of training, but the most requested programs are for advanced manufacturing skills like Lean Technology, Computer-Aided Design, and Computer Numerical Control machining. Supervisory and management training are also popular. Questions?

For more information, reach out to VTP Program Director Randall Szott at Randall. Szott@Vermont. gov .

For examples of VTP in action, see the most recent annual report . Archive Notice: This content is maintained for historical reference and may not meet current accessibility standards . To request an accessible version of any document, please contact Randall Szott at Randall.

Szott@Vermont. gov . The Vermont Training Program is a flexible, nimble, and strategic workforce development program that enhances the skills of the Vermont workforce and increases the productivity of Vermont employers.

VTP aims to: Assist with funding employee training projects related to the development and production of new and innovative products, equipment, technologies, market opportunities, or processes that will lead to significant advances in innovation and/or productivity.

Use funds to supplement, not replace, existing training efforts Assist with training new employees and existing employees to encourage to aid in retention Assist with training in transferable skills Encourage wage increases for employees Collaborate with other state Agencies and Departments to align efforts and funding Align training resources to the Vermont Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) The VTP is open to all sectors of the Vermont economy.

Priority is placed on the twelve "Vermont 2020" CEDS target sectors. Trainees must be full-time permanent employees working in Vermont. Grants are offered for pre-employment training (with guaranteed hire post-training), new employee training, and incumbent employees Employers and training providers must show that the use of VTP funds supplements training efforts.

Training shall be directly related to the employment responsibilities of the employee. VTP funds shall not duplicate other state and/or federal funds for employee training. Employee compensation (hourly wage), at the completion of training, must equal or exceed the livable wage as defined by the Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Office.

The 2024 Vermont Livable Wage is $19. 53 per hour in urban areas (Chittenden County) and $17. 68 in rural areas (all other counties).

Employees must be offered a minimum of three of the following employee benefits: health insurance (with 50% or more of the premium paid by the employer), dental assistance, paid vacation, paid holidays, child care, retirement benefits, other paid time off excluding paid sick days, or other extraordinary employee benefit. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

The VTP Staff are available to visit potential applicants and have a more in-depth discussion regarding the application and employee training needs. Applications are reviewed by the VTP review team. The general turnaround time is 18 business days.

The grant agreement must be signed before training begins. The VTP may fund up to 50% of wages for each employee in training (on-site training) or up to 50% of the trainer's expenses (classroom/vendor fee). Costs associated with travel, materials, equipment, consulting/coaching, and/or course development will not be considered.

The VTP is open to all sectors of the Vermont economy. When reviewing applications, the VTP is placing priority on the following CEDS-defined target sectors and related skills: advanced manufacturing, financial services, food systems, forest products, health care, software development and IT, biotechnology, clean energy, efficiency and electricity innovation, environmental consulting, green business and building.

Secondary priority will be placed on the remaining CEDS-defined target sectors and related skills: arts and culture, education, tourism and recreation. Learn more about how the Vermont CEDS "Vermont 2020" defines these sectors. Additional priority will be placed on applications that show: new hires, retained employees, wage increases for employees, significant investment in the long-term success of the business in Vermont.

Applications to the VTP should focus on a new specific and strategic/innovative employee training project. Applications should have a targeted approach rather than a broad brush. The more specific you can be about your training project the better .

The VTP staff are always happy to be in contact with you to discuss specific employee training needs and questions. Business Applications: Can relate to a new and/or innovative: product, equipment, technology processes, market opportunity, significant productivity gain. The VTP is aware that what is new or innovative for one business may not be the same for others.

Feel free to be in touch with the VTP staff to discuss specific employee training needs. Training Provider Applications: Should be centered on a training project that has been identified with the assistance of multiple employer sponsors. These employer sponsors should commit employees to attend the training and are ideally involved with the development of course materials.

However, training projects that will bring employees to a higher-skilled positions and receive a wage increase upon completion are only required to have one employer sponsor.