VOBA Trail & Bike Professional Trainings

Last spring, VOBA administered 10 professional development trainings thanks to Economic Development Authority - Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation funding through the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. Vermonters from all levels of bike retail service and trail crews, including 23 participants from under-represented communities, gained hands-on experience and knowledge.

Find full reports from March and May.

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Vermont’s vibrant outdoor industry offers ample career opportunities for those eager to trade an office desk for fresh air and scenic surroundings. As highlighted in the ThinkVermont post from July 30, 2025, many job seekers are turning to VOBA, which aggregates job boards from organizations like Ski Vermont and Vermont Trails & Greenways, as well as other statewide.

VOBA’s Careers page serves as a centralized gateway to openings across the state, spanning roles in outdoor recreation, trail maintenance, and seasonal landscape work. By tapping into this network, job hunters can align their passion for Vermont’s natural beauty with meaningful work that allows them to enjoy the Green Mountains as part of their daily routine.

READ FULL ARTICLE

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Let's look at VOBA's available trainings:

Vermont Bicycle Mechanic Skills for Retail Service Training

• Topics in assembly, repair, and maintenance

• Three sets of 5 sessions 

• Twenty-six participants from across VT

• Fifteen instructors from 10 bike shops

• Instructors and hosts from Base Camp, Bicycle Express, Earl's Cyclery, First Stop Board Barn, Green Mountain Bikes, Old Spoke Home, Onion River Outdoors, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Red Clover Bikes, Skirack, and The Gear House

Vermont Bike Mechanic Retail Suspension Training

• Topics in suspension service

• Two half-day sessions

• Twenty-three participants from 17 bike shops

• Instructors from Green Mountain Pro Tune and Base Camp

• Hosted at Vermont State University's Killington & Randolph campuses

Vermont Trail Building and Maintenance Skills for Improved Water Management

• Topics in drainage, soil types, and tool use

• Three sets of 2-day trainings

• Fifteen participants from 17 trail businesses and organizations

• Five instructors from Sinuosity, L&D Trailworks, and Apex Trailworks

• Hosted by Sleepy Hollow Inn, Stratton Bike Park, Burke Bike Park, Kingdom Trail Association, and Vermont Mountain Bike Association

Trail Crew Chainsaw Use for Professional Trail Workers

• Topics in saw practices, performance, and safety planning

• Two sets of 2-day workshops

• Twelve participants from 11 trail businesses and organizations

• Instruction from Northeast Woodlands Training

• Hosted by NorthWoods Stewardship Center and Merck Forest and Farmland Center

Deep gratitude goes to Brian Lamoureux from Green Mountain Sustainability Consulting for managing VOBA's workforce development trainings. Stay tuned for the second annual snow sports technician training this fall!

We’re proud to support the technical skill-building of Vermont's mechanics, trail builders, and snow sport technicians located in our local outdoor communities.