Vermont Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington congratulates graduates of the VTSU apprenticeship program. VTSU photo.
Nearly 30% Increase in Graduates over 2024
Plumbing and electrical apprenticeship programs in high demand from students and employers with record enrollment of 886 - enrollment growth of 20% over the last two years.
Vermont Business Magazine This month, Vermont State University (VTSU) graduated 105 electricians and 80 plumbers from the university’s registered apprenticeship programs, offered in partnership with the Vermont Department of Labor. The university saw a nearly 30% increase in the number of apprenticeship graduates this year and a 20% increase in the number of employers represented in the graduating class. Across all four years in the plumbing and electrical apprenticeship programs, VTSU has 886 students enrolled, a headcount that has increased by over 200 apprentices in the last four years.
“The plumbing and electrical apprenticeship program is a tremendous success story for VTSU,” stated university president Dave Bergh. “Career-readiness is at the heart of our mission and the apprenticeship programs are a clear example of the university rising to meet the education, workforce and training needs of our employers and the learning needs of our students across Vermont. These programs have sustained a clear growth trajectory over the last several years and have produced graduates ready to enter the workforce, thanks to their hands-on learning experience.”
91% of this year’s graduating class of apprentices hail from Vermont and the remainder from neighboring states of New Hampshire and New York. Across the 886 plumbing and electrical apprentices enrolled at VTSU, 326 employers are represented. The median hourly wage for plumbers in Vermont is $29. This education pathway leads not only to steady employment in a high-demand field, but good pay for graduates.
Jason Ward, owner of Pleasant View Electric in Monroe, New Hampshire shared, “VTSU is our first stop when it comes to training our workforce and we couldn't be happier with the apprenticeship program. The students' knowledge is unmatched coming out of it. Between our hands-on work in the field and VTSU's classroom instruction, I see our apprentices having a bright future in the trades. We’re really pleased to see the program’s growth and continued success.”
Each of the 185 graduates celebrated this month have achieved the credentials needed to sit for the Vermont State Journeyman Licensure Exam, including 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, 144 hours of classroom instruction each of their four years enrolled in the program, and OSHA 10 Construction Training.
“This program has really evolved over the last five years,” added Sarah Ballou, Program Manager of VTSU’s Apprenticeship Programs. “The challenges facing businesses and the state are changing, and our programs are adapting to build a workforce that can adapt to meet these new needs. Trades programs like these apprenticeships are in incredibly high-demand from employers and from students of all ages and backgrounds - in fact, our oldest graduate this year is 53 and the youngest is 19. We’re offering more flexible coursework, including online offerings, that maximize options for apprentices as they gain valuable work experience and earn a paycheck while also pursuing their coursework. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built at VTSU in partnership with the Department of Labor, the excellent graduates of these programs, and of the reputation and relationships we’ve built with employers across Vermont.”
“This is excellent news for Vermont,” noted Commissioner Michael Harrington of the Vermont Department of Labor. “Trade professionals are in high demand across our state, and they play a critical role in our ability to grow Vermont’s economy, which is why this increase in apprenticeship graduates is so important. These apprentices will go on to build new homes, expand commercial businesses, and support advanced manufacturing, along with a whole host of other apprentices in a variety of different industries. Congratulations to this year’s graduates. Vermont is lucky to have you.”
Vermont is projected to have 930 openings for plumbers and 550 for electrical line installers in the next decade. VTSU’s registered apprenticeships are industry driven, high-quality career pathways that help employers develop and prepare their future workforce while simultaneously helping individuals obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable nationally-recognized credential.
To learn more about VTSU’s apprenticeship programs, visit https://vermontstate.edu/about/workforce-community-and-economic-development/
About Vermont State University
Vermont State University provides a high-quality, flexible, and affordable education for students seeking associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, certificates, and in-demand professional credentials. The university builds upon a history of public higher education in Vermont dating back to 1787. More information about Vermont State University can be found here: https://vermontstate.edu/
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