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Employers, students, and community members will gather in Rutland County this spring for the Workforce in Motion Summit, designed to connect students with in-demand careers, support local businesses in the trades, and strengthen Vermont’s future workforce.
The Challenge Facing Vermont’s Workforce
Vermont employers are feeling the impact, particularly in construction, manufacturing, and skilled trades industries. For every five people retiring from the trades, there are on average only two people entering the field. By 2030, it is projected that 79 million tradespeople will retire, while only 41 million are expected to replace them. Communities across Vermont are working to respond to this challenge. Rutland County is taking proactive steps to help build the next generation of skilled workers.
How Rutland is Leading the Change
On May 21, 2026, the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) will host the Workforce in Motion Summit at Vermont State University’s Castleton campus. The Summit brings together employers, educators, community members, and students to introduce young people to skilled career opportunities after high school and help employers build their future workforce. Last year, CEDRR hosted a similar event that successfully connected students with local employers and introduced them to hands-on career pathways in the trades.
What the Workforce in Motion Summit Will Do for Vermont’s Future
Events like the Workforce in Motion Summit help students explore career options in the trades while supporting employers facing workforce shortages. “I would encourage more employers to take part in events like the Workforce in Motion Summit as a way to connect with vendors and attendees to find qualified staff,” said Ellen Coyle, Director of Human Resources for the City of Rutland. “Our municipality found two great students at CEDRR’s event last May. Both students are now full-time employees working in our Public Works Department.”
How Students Can Further Benefit
During the Workforce in Motion Summit, scholarships will be awarded to students entering the trades after high school. Students can apply for one of three scholarships by submitting an essay. “The Spark Scholarship,” asks students to explain where their interest in the trades began, “The Skill Scholarship,” requires students to describe a skill developed through hands-on learning, and “The Vermont Future Scholarship,” asks students to picture how a career in the trades will support the future they want to pursue in five, ten, and fifteen years.
Expanding Beyond the Summit
While the Workforce in Motion Summit is a one-day event, the Workforce in Motion Academy will continue to support anyone interested in entering the skilled workforce. Programs in nursing (LNA), commercial driver’s license (CDL), heat pump and weatherization, construction, and business range from four to twelve weeks and take place throughout the calendar year. These programs provide hands-on training designed to prepare participants for in-demand careers and help them advance with confidence.
The Academy works in close partnership with regional employers, technical centers, and workforce leaders to ensure training aligns directly with real hiring needs across Vermont. In collaboration with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Workforce in Motion is strengthening pathways that connect education, training, and employment in a coordinated regional strategy. Together, the focus is not only on launching careers, but on building a sustainable workforce pipeline that supports both individuals and the broader economic vitality of our communities.
Event Details
The Workforce in Motion Summit will take place May 21, 2026, at Vermont State University’s Castleton campus. The event provides employers an opportunity to showcase their industry to middle and high school students exploring career options in the trades. Your business can help shape Vermont’s future workforce by taking part in the Workforce in Motion Summit.
Those interested in learning more about the Workforce in Motion Summit and efforts to strengthen Vermont’s workforce can visit rutlandvermont.com/workforce-in-motion-summit.
Through initiatives like the Workforce in Motion Summit, Rutland County continues to bring together employers, educators, and community partners to strengthen workforce development and support long-term economic growth across the region.
