Vermont Business Magazine Four the fourth year, Vermont Works for Women is bringing their week-long trades exploration program to Center for Technology, Essex this summer.
Started in 2023, Launching Inclusive Futures in Trades (LIFT) is designed to provide high school girls and gender-expansive students with exposure to various trades fields in a safe, fun, and empowering environment.
Through hands-on learning and projects, LIFT participants spend the week exploring trades like carpentry, electrical, welding, and automotive, taught by female instructors trained and working in their respective fields. Students work on both group and personal projects with the help of VWW staff and industry professionals to get a glimpse into some of the skills and opportunities available in the trades.
In addition to trades and technical skill development, participants learn from our social and emotional curriculum known as “Power Skills” to help them navigate school, friendships, and societal issues.
After last year' program one participant shared, "Before, I thought that I was going to be a farmer or a teacher – jobs I wouldn’t really enjoy. Now, I feel a lot more confident in doing a career in the trades field.”
LIFT 2026 will take place from June 22 - 26 at Center for Technology, Essex. To learn more or schedule a time to visit us at LIFT next week, reach out to VWW Director of Development & Communications Kate Gluckman at [email protected]
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.
https://vtworksforwomen.org. Winooski