Gain Skills and Experience to Succeed and Advance in Vermont’s Tourism Industry
Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s Professional and Continuing Education division (PACE) is launching a new Hospitality Management Professional Certificate to immediately address workforce challenges in Vermont’s hospitality sector and support the state’s need for a skilled, career-oriented tourism and lodging workforce.
This customizable six-course certificate offers a pathway to career transformation for those interested in pursuing an extended career in hospitality and will focus on sustainable operations, marketing and sales, food and beverage, facilities, revenue management, human resources, and more.
Lodging and Food & Beverage are the categories that have seen the biggest gains since 2019, perhaps because of the rise of short-term rentals for lodging, and the increase in the overhead costs of food and beverages coming out of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic also slowed tourism overall in 2020 and 2021.
“Hospitality is one of Vermont’s largest economic sectors, and there is a high demand for developing a skilled workforce as the industry continues to return to its pre-pandemic strength,” said Bettyjo Bouchey, PACE Chief Officer. “By offering this certificate, we are strengthening the talent pipeline for the hospitality industry and ensuring sustainable growth. This initiative reflects UVM’s land-grant mission to serve the state of Vermont by addressing critical workforce needs and expanding career training and professional development opportunities.”
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing encouraged the creation of this certificate program and supported its curriculum development with grant funding as part of its work to support the state’s thriving visitor economy.
“Tourism is a $4 billion dollar industry that fuels Vermont’s economy,” says Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham. “In order for us to continue to deliver an extraordinary visitor experience that keeps our guests coming back, we need to invest in our hospitality sector with efforts like this one which will cultivate talent and support our businesses who share our vision for making Vermont a premier stop on every traveler’s list.”
Partnerships with the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, Vermont Lodging Association, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations provide unmatched support for instruction, marketing, and overall student success. Participating properties throughout the program include:
- Hotel Vermont (Westport Hospitality)
- Courtyard Burlington Harbor (Westport Hospitality)
- Hotel Champlain (Hilton)
- Doubletree Hilton Burlington
- The Essex Resort & Spa
- Basin Harbor Resort
- Jay Peak Resort
- Topnotch Resort
- Trapp Family Lodge
- Woodstock Inn & Resort
- Inn at Manchester
- The Inns of Dorset, Barrows House
Hosted by UVM’s Rubenstein School Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program (PRT), this certificate provides a strong academic foundation complemented by support from a diverse array of subject matter experts including Vermont tourism industry veterans, hotel executives, resort directors, and tourism consultants. This access to industry leaders provides participants with unparalleled insights into the modern challenges and opportunities of hospitality management and tourism.
UVM PACE is providing this Hospitality Management Certificate Program at no cost to eligible participants in 2025. By removing the short-term financial barriers to pursuing professional upskilling, career opportunities in Vermont’s tourism sector will be more accessible than ever during a critical time of necessary workforce growth.
Registration is now open for the Hospitality Management Professional Certificate program. Online courses begin on April 7 for the first cohort of learners and May 5 for the second cohort. UVM PACE will offer a waitlist to follow these first two learner cohorts, with plans to continue the program in the future to meet the demands of the industry.
To learn more and register, visit: go.uvm.edu/hospitality-certificate
By The Numbers
- Researchers found that 15.8 million guests came to Vermont in 2023, showing a sustained return to pre-pandemic visitation*
- The visitor economy in Vermont supported 31,053 jobs in 2024**
- Visitor spending represents 9.3% of Vermont’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is significantly higher than the national state average of 3.0% (2022 data)*
- The data also examines employment by county. Every county in Vermont employs people who work in the tourism sector. The top three counties by percentage of jobs supported by the visitor economy are Lamoille, Windsor, and Rutland Counties.*
* According to the VDTM report, “Economic Impact of Visitors in Vermont 2023”
** Source: Tourism Economics, Longwoods International
Hospitality Certificate Curriculum
The certificate features three core courses focused on Sustainable Operations, Marketing and Sales, and Hospitality Accounting, two specialized electives including topics such as Front Office, Food and Beverage, Facilities Management, Event Planning, and Human Resource Management, and one Capstone Paid Internship at one of Vermont’s renowned destination properties, with housing available, providing a unique hands-on learning experience at participating properties in Vermont.
About the University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education
The UVM Professional and Continuing Education Division (PACE) helps students of all ages and stages of life pursue their education. Through collaborations with UVM’s various colleges and schools and professional development opportunities with industry experts and practitioners, PACE offers courses, programs, and certificates that meet the demands of today’s busy lifestyles and evolving industry needs. See the full course and program selection at learn.uvm.edu.
About the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing promotes Vermont’s travel, recreation, cultural and historic attractions, as well as the state’s goods and services, in coordination with public and private sector partners and works to market Vermont to a global audience in a manner consistent with the values and traditions of the state for the economic benefit of all Vermonters.
Source: Burlington, VT (FEBRUARY 11, 2024)—The University of Vermont
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
