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11 Trailblazers Graduate in Brattleboro

by Jillian Scannell

Brattleboro Trailblazers pose in front of shelves they built

 

In September, VWW graduated our first ever “Southern Vermont” Trailblazers cohort! 

We were excited to partner with HatchSpace, which has run Rosie’s Girls Summer Camp for the past two summers, to bring Trailblazers to Brattleboro. Trailblazers is our seven-week trades training program preparing women and gender-expansive individuals ages 18+ for careers in construction and the trades.

Trailblazer uses a table saw to cut trim board

Trailblazers build shelves using a table saw

 

Hands-on Learning

11 Trailblazers learned basic skills in carpentry and construction from instructors Tammy Ellis and Ali Wilder. Participants also had a day of electrical instruction with Joanna Sharf of Emily Electric, and solar energy exploration with Victoria Roberts of Southern Vermont Solar.

Each Trailblazers cohort uses their new skills to support a build project in the community. Previous classes have supported Habitat for Humanity build sites; built projects like an accessible picnic table and composter; and served community members through building a mobility ramp and weatherizing homes. Our Brattleboro Trailblazers built new shelves for the game room at the Boys and Girls Club of Brattleboro.

Trailblazers hold up tarp at Timberframe build siteTrailblazers sit and listen to Anneke share about her timberframe building

 

 

 

 

In addition to scheduled learning in the classroom and workshop, Trailblazers also had an unplanned learning opportunity: Trailblazers instructor Tammy met Anneke, who invited the class to visit the build-site of her timber frame home. Timber frame homes are built from large wood posts and beams that form the structural support of the house and are often more environmentally friendly than traditional homes built with concrete and steel. Thanks, Anneke, for sharing your knowledge! 

Trailblazers 2025

The final Trailblazers class of 2024 starts in Rutland on October 1. We are partnering with Vermont Adult Learning’s EnergyWorks to offer a new collaborative workforce development program that combines the successful elements of each of our programs. Trailblazers: Energy Works is an eight-week program for women and gender-expansive individuals ages 18+ who are interested in careers in Vermont’s climate workforce. Participants will learn skills in basic construction, weatherization, and heat pump installation. 

We are in the planning stages for 2025 and will announce our dates and locations early in the new year. If you are interested in learning more about Trailblazers or want to be added to our email list, please email Jillian at jscannell@vtworksforwomen.org.

 

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