Workforce Development

PATHWAYS FOR PROFESSIONALS

Building a Team

Vermont’s outdoor recreation workforce is growing - the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported over 16,000 workers in 2023. That number is sure to expand with 77% of respondents to the 2024 Vermont Outdoor Business Survey reporting plans to hire 1-5 employees in the next 12 months.

Outdoor businesses need an innovative, inclusive, and skilled workforce to serve Vermonters and the 13 million annual visitors. Businesses across Vermont’s highly diversified sector offer rewarding jobs and career advancement opportunities whether a student just starting out or an adult re-skilling for the outdoors.

Outdoor professionals are making a difference from accessibility in the work place to problem solving for climate change, ensuring Vermont’s resilient lands and waters.

Training and professional development led by education and the industry enables enduring career pathways rooted in the land, culture and purpose.

DEVELOP WORKFORCE TRAINING

OUR DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Trades & Climate Outdoor Workforce Program

VOBA works to invest in a talent pipeline of well-trained, career-oriented individuals to work in Vermont’s outdoor recreation industry. By establishing a system of industry and education-led professional development opportunities in regions around the state, VOBA serves 50 Vermont employers and trains 100 professionals.

Apply consistent and best practice knowledge and skills immediately applicable to employment.
Expand Vermont skilled workforce well-positioned for hiring cycles and for better wages and compensation.
Institutionalize a “lattice” professional development system of classroom and hands on training and credentials offered by employer and education providers for gaining skills and expertise needed for career advancement.
Transition the outdoor workforce to support skilled service, innovative operations, and attract young, up-skilled, and diverse professionals.

Fill the hiring gaps for skilled workers for Vermont’s executive, managerial and entry-level jobs and expand volunteer and seasonal opportunities to full-time, year-round jobs.

Ensure better representation of historically excluded communities in occupations.

Attract students and young professionals to the outdoor sector as a launchpad for outdoor career pathways.

Boost business growth, leading to greater investment in employee wages and compensation.

Meet the demand by the growing number of visitors and Vermonters for high quality gear, apparel, and experiences and for recreation infrastructure build with stewardship practices.

Initiate a coordinated system of professional development in Vermont designed to interlink a progression of training opportunities into career development for which Vermont gains national recognition.

Expand training that targets skills needed for high-demand, high-skilled, and high-paying outdoor jobs in Vermont.
Technical service occupations including but not limited to ski technicians, bicycle mechanics, and guided instruction.
Climate, sustainability, circularity and stewardship jobs included but not limited to those in gear and apparel manufacturing, trail construction, and outdoor facilities.