Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Works for Women (VWW) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week April 27 to May 1, specifically Women in Apprenticeship Day on Thursday, April 30.
VWW will be joined by the Vermont Department of Labor and Alliance Mechanical to celebrate National Women in Apprenticeship Day and highlight the contributions and success of women in these training program.
VDOL Commission Kendal Smith, VWW Executive Director Rhoni Basden, and Alliance HR Coordinator Mackenzie Lewis will speak as part of the celebration, in conjunction with the graduation of the 24th Trailblazers cohort at the Carpenters Union in South Burlington. Trailblazers is a seven-week pre-apprenticeship program that provides women and gender-expansive individuals training and support to enter a trades career.
Apprenticeships are training programs that provide individuals with on-the-job training and classroom instruction, offering a clear path to grow a successful career. According to the VT Department of Labor, as of April 8, 2026, women make up 8.94% of all registered apprentices in Vermont. Of the 1,634 apprentices, 146 identified as women; 85 of these women are in trades careers like construction, electrical, plumbing, water treatment, ski lift maintenance, and manufacturing.
To meet labor needs and ensure a thriving Vermont economy, it’s imperative the state and employers prioritize the recruitment and retention of underrepresented workers, including women.
A variety of factors impact women’s ability to participate in apprenticeship programs, including access to childcare, harmful gender stereotypes, and transportation barriers. Pre-apprenticeship programs like Vermont Works for Women’s Trailblazers recognize these potential barriers and provide wraparound support to help participants succeed while also providing training on inclusive practices for employers. Robust programs like Trailblazers are proven to increase the number of women entering the trades.
“In the last year we have had a record number of applications for our Trailblazers program. We often hear from applicants that they were always interested in working with their hands but were discouraged from doing so when they were younger,” shared Trailblazers Manager Robina Moyer. “Pre-apprenticeship programs like Trailblazers help jobseekers gain foundational skills, workplace experience, and gives them the tools to make an informed decision to enter the trades.”
In 2025, the Vermont Department of Labor designated Trailblazers as a certified pre-apprenticeship program. With the support of Alliance Mechanical and other employer partners, Trailblazers graduates can start apprenticeships in well-paying, high-demand careers.
“Vermont continues to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce, and the growing number of women in registered apprenticeship is a powerful part of that progress. With women now making up nearly 10 percent [9.5% for ’25] of registered apprentices in the State, we are seeing meaningful momentum — opening doors to high-quality careers and ensuring that opportunity in the skilled trades and beyond is truly accessible to all,” said Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner Kendal Smith.
Mackenzie Lewis at Alliance shared, “Apprentices drive the future of not only our organization, but the trades as an industry. The trades aren’t easy; they take skill, grit, and a commitment to doing the job right. The growing number of women on our field teams, especially our apprentices, that show up every day with that exact mindset ensure a bright future for not only Alliance, but for the economic growth of Vermont. We are proud to have them on our team, and we look forward to seeing the number of strong, capable women continuing to make their mark on the trades.”
Vermont Works for Women (VWW) promotes economic justice by advancing gender equity and supporting women and youth at every stage of their career journeys. Its programs include: career education and exploration for middle and high school girls and gender-expansive youth; employment and career coaching and hard skills training for women, including incarcerated women; and workshops and consultation services for schools and businesses to improve educational and workplace cultures for women. Learn more at https://vtworksforwomen.org.
Alliance Mechanical: Alliance Group Services, LLC is a leader in providing the absolute best mechanical services by creating a successful alliance with customers through the delivery and execution of our innovative, high quality services, solutions and installations. Our goal is to be the mechanical provider of choice to our customers. Our promise is to build long lasting partnerships through our technical expertise, responsiveness, customer satisfaction and most importantly, our integrity. Providing the best possible work environment for growth and opportunity will allow us to recruit, train and retain the highest quality employees and strive for the highest levels of professionalism and customer satisfaction. Learn more at https://agusa.com
Department of Labor: The Vermont Department of Labor is comprised of four major divisions: Workforce Development, Labor Market Information, Unemployment Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation & Workplace Safety. The Department of Labor exists to improve the lives of working Vermonters. Together we serve the people and businesses of our great state so all of us can live well, be safe, and experience meaningful employment. Learn more at https://labor.vermont.gov
April 20, 2026 – Vermont Works for Women
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