For individuals and families considering a move to Vermont, finding the right community and home is only part of the relocation process. Access to employment, affordable education and opportunities for career advancement can be equally important.
In a recent episode of the Let’s Move to Vermont Podcast, host Mark Erickson spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Mauch, Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System, about how Vermont's public higher education institutions are responding to workforce shortages while creating new opportunities for students, working professionals and families relocating to the state.
From a projected need for approximately 7,000 teachers over the next decade to expanding healthcare training programs, Mauch outlined how education is becoming an increasingly important component of Vermont's economic future.
Vermont's Public College System Offers Education Across the State
The Vermont State Colleges System consists of two institutions: the Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Vermont State University (VTSU).
CCV operates 10 locations throughout Vermont and serves as the state's only community college. Vermont State University brings together five legacy campuses, including former four-year public institutions and technical college campuses.
Together, the institutions offer associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, professional certificates, technical training and opportunities for continuing education.
For prospective residents, Mauch emphasized that these institutions can support individuals throughout their working lives, whether they are beginning a career, changing professions or seeking additional qualifications.
The system also offers educational pathways that allow students to begin with introductory coursework or certificates and advance toward additional degrees.
Vermont Projects a Need for 7,000 Teachers Over the Next Decade
One of the most significant workforce challenges discussed during the podcast was Vermont's growing demand for educators.
According to Mauch, the state is projecting a need for approximately 7,000 teachers over the next 10 years, creating opportunities for individuals interested in entering or advancing within the education profession.
The projected demand spans multiple teaching specialties, including elementary education, special education, mathematics, science and career and technical education.
To help address the shortage, the Vermont State Colleges System has been working with the Vermont Department of Labor and the state's education agency to develop teacher apprenticeship pathways.
These initiatives are intended to make teacher preparation more accessible to individuals already working in schools.
Rather than requiring employees to leave their jobs to complete a degree, the proposed approach combines online coursework with practical experience in the school districts where participants are employed.
For paraeducators and other school employees, this could provide a pathway toward becoming licensed teachers while maintaining employment.
For individuals considering relocation, Vermont's demand for educators represents a potential career opportunity, although applicants should review current vacancies, credential requirements and professional licensing rules.
Healthcare Careers Remain a Major Workforce Priority
Healthcare is another major area of workforce demand in Vermont.
Mauch identified healthcare as one of the largest areas of study within the Vermont State Colleges System, with programs designed to prepare students for nursing, dental hygiene, medical imaging and other healthcare professions.
The system offers multiple educational pathways for nurses, allowing students to progress from preliminary nursing education through licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.
This approach allows healthcare professionals to advance their qualifications without necessarily starting their education over.
Mauch also discussed scholarship opportunities and potentially forgivable loans that may be available to nursing students who meet specific requirements, including employment commitments in Vermont.
Expanding Healthcare Training in Rural Vermont
The Vermont State Colleges System is also working to increase healthcare education opportunities outside the state's larger population centers.
At the Vermont State University campus in Johnson, an expanded nursing program is helping increase the number of students who can receive nursing training.
Mauch highlighted the example of a 37-year-old professional returning to school to pursue nursing, illustrating how Vermont's healthcare education programs serve adults at different stages of their careers.
Additional initiatives discussed during the interview include:
- A sonography program being developed through CCV in collaboration with the University of Vermont Health Network.
- Efforts to expand dental hygiene training capacity.
- Opportunities for healthcare professionals to earn additional credentials and advance into specialized roles.
- Graduate nursing education designed to help prepare future nursing instructors.
These initiatives are particularly relevant to prospective residents with healthcare experience or individuals considering a career transition into the medical field.
Affordable College Programs Could Benefit Vermont Families
The cost of higher education is an important consideration for families deciding where to relocate.
During the interview, Mauch highlighted two Vermont tuition assistance initiatives: 802 Opportunity and Freedom and Unity.
These programs are designed to provide tuition assistance, potentially covering full tuition for eligible students at certain income levels attending CCV or Vermont State University.
Mauch explained that the Vermont State Colleges System has worked with state lawmakers to make higher education more affordable.
For relocating families, these programs may help reduce the financial burden of college, particularly for households with children approaching college age or adults considering additional education.
However, eligibility depends on program-specific requirements, including income and potentially residency, enrollment and other conditions. Prospective students should confirm current eligibility and funding availability directly with the institutions.
Career Changes and Adult Education Are a Growing Focus
Not everyone moving to Vermont is a recent high school graduate or a young professional entering the workforce.
Some prospective residents are established professionals seeking a different lifestyle, adults transitioning into new careers or individuals returning to college after years in the workforce.
Mauch said the Vermont State Colleges System increasingly serves nontraditional students, noting that the average age of some student groups, particularly part-time students, is approximately 29.
CCV has developed flexible learning options that include online courses, introductory professional programs and opportunities to gain practical experience.
Mauch also described a program referred to in the interview as CPEEP, which combines college coursework with shorter internship experiences, allowing participants to explore different professional fields before committing to a longer educational pathway.
For adults who need to continue working while attending college, flexible course delivery and workplace-based learning can make additional education more accessible.
These options could be especially valuable for individuals relocating to Vermont who want to establish a new career without leaving the workforce for several years.
Vermont Employers Need More Than Teachers and Nurses
Although education and healthcare were central topics during the podcast, Mauch emphasized that Vermont's workforce needs extend into several other industries.
She pointed to construction, service industries, accounting, business and manufacturing as additional areas of employment demand.
Mauch referenced Vermont's Most Promising Jobs, a periodically published resource developed through collaboration involving the state and the McClure Foundation.
The publication identifies occupations offering promising employment opportunities and can help job seekers evaluate potential career paths.
The Vermont State Colleges System is also working with employers to align educational programs with industry needs.
One example discussed during the podcast was a composite materials certificate being developed in collaboration with Vermont-based BETA Technologies.
Such partnerships are intended to connect classroom instruction with practical skills employers need, while providing students with opportunities for internships and workplace experience.
For prospective residents, researching Vermont's in-demand occupations before relocating may help identify where existing qualifications are transferable and where additional training could improve employment prospects.
Early College and Dual Enrollment Offer Opportunities for Teenagers
Families moving to Vermont with high school students may also find educational opportunities beyond traditional classroom instruction.
Mauch highlighted the state's dual-enrollment and early-college programs, which allow eligible high school students to begin earning college credits before graduation.
Through dual enrollment, students can take college courses while still attending high school.
Vermont's Early College program offers another pathway, allowing eligible students in their senior year to attend CCV or Vermont State University full-time through a state-supported arrangement.
These programs can help students explore academic interests, gain experience with college-level coursework and prepare for the transition to higher education.
For families considering a move, understanding the availability of these programs may be an important part of evaluating educational opportunities in Vermont.
Eligibility and participation requirements should be confirmed with the student's high school and the participating college.
Helping College Graduates Build Their Futures in Vermont
Retaining young professionals and college graduates is an ongoing challenge for many rural states, including Vermont.
During the podcast, Erickson and Mauch discussed how some young adults leave Vermont to pursue opportunities in larger metropolitan areas, while others eventually return.
Mauch emphasized the importance of helping students recognize the professional and personal opportunities available within Vermont.
By connecting educational programs with local employers, offering internships and providing opportunities for career advancement, the Vermont State Colleges System aims to encourage graduates to establish long-term connections with the state.
Vermont's outdoor recreation, smaller communities and opportunities for community involvement may also appeal to graduates seeking a different lifestyle.
Mauch noted that the ability to build personal relationships and participate in local communities is an important part of Vermont's appeal.
Why Chancellor Mauch Chose Vermont
Beyond discussing education and workforce development, Mauch shared her own personal connection to the Green Mountain State.
She recalled visiting Vermont with her husband on their honeymoon nearly 30 years ago and developing a lasting appreciation for the state.
Their daughter later attended Middlebury College, and the family eventually made Vermont home.
Mauch described Vermont as a place where residents can develop strong community relationships, collaborate with neighbors and participate meaningfully in local organizations.
She also emphasized that the state's relatively small communities can create a more personal educational experience.
Although Vermont State University operates across multiple campuses, Mauch said students can still develop close relationships with faculty members and experience an environment where people know one another.
What Prospective Residents Should Know Before Moving to Vermont
For individuals and families exploring relocation, the podcast highlighted several important considerations.
Vermont's workforce shortages may create opportunities for qualified professionals, particularly in healthcare and education. However, employment prospects vary by occupation, location, experience and licensing requirements.
Educational pathways through CCV and Vermont State University may also help new residents acquire credentials, change careers or advance professionally.
Families with teenagers should investigate dual-enrollment and early-college opportunities, while working adults may benefit from online coursework and flexible degree programs.
Prospective residents should also research tuition assistance eligibility, employment opportunities and educational program availability before making relocation decisions.
Mauch's central message was that Vermont offers opportunities to build both a career and a community.
For those willing to invest in education, professional development and community involvement, the Green Mountain State may provide a foundation for long-term personal and professional growth.