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VWW's office remains closed as staff primarily work remotely. Please contact us in advance if you need to visit our Winooski office; our team is available via phone or email.

Vermont Works for Women (VWW) supports women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals in Vermont to explore, pursue, and excel in careers that meet their needs and wants. Our programs, from middle school through adulthood, provide participants with new skills and confidence. 

Our programs focus on:

  • Encouraging career exploration in skilled trades and STEM for youth,
  • Supporting women at various stages of their careers through coaching, mentorship, and skill development,
  • Partnering with schools and employers to create equitable learning and work environments, and
  • Sharing participants’ stories and data to advance gender equity across Vermont.

We are committed to connecting participants to experiences that will put them on a path to economic independence. 

We do not expect that all youth in our programs will go on to become carpenters or welders—but by exposing them to tools, role models, and transferable problem-solving skills through programs like Rosie’s Girls, Career Challenge Day, and Women Can Do, we provide an expansive array of career options for students to consider as they navigate school and plan for life after graduation. 

We also support women and gender-expansive individuals ages 16 and up to identify careers that meet their needs, map out steps to reach their goals, connect with local employers and mentors, and access community resources. Through Employment and Career Services, Trailblazers, and programs for women with a history or current involvement with the justice system, we help hundreds of women each year to find employment with supportive local employers.

A Rosie's Girls instructor oversees a camper using a jigsaw at one of Vermont Works for Women's summer programs.
A Rosie's Girls instructor oversees a camper using a jigsaw at one of Vermont Works for Women's summer programs.

Explore Our Programs

What does Vermont Works for Women offer for girls, women, schools, employers, and community advocates? How can you participate? Use our navigation tool below to explore our programs.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH

Empowering Vermont girls and gender-expansive youth to try new things and confidently navigate the world through social and emotional skill development activities and hands-on exploration in STEM and trades.

  • Grades 6-8
  • Summer Camp & Afterschool Programs
  • Building Confidence
  • Hands-on Exploration
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH

Expanding future career possibilities for Vermont high school female and gender-expansive students through professional skill development and career exploration in STEM, skilled trades, and other non-traditional fields.

  • Grades 9 - 12
  • School-based Programs and Statewide Conference
  • Non-traditional Career Exploration
  • Professional Skill Development and Empowerment
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ADULT

Supporting Vermont women and gender-expansive individuals wherever they are in their career journeys to reach their goals, including trades training, mentorship, networking, and more.

  • Ages 16+
  • Job Training Programs, Career Coaching, and Mentorship
  • Reach Career and Financial Goals
  • Free
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BUSINESSES/COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Partnering with businesses, nonprofits, state government and agencies, and schools to advance gender equity in Vermont.

  • Vermont-based Employers
  • Gender Equity Consulting and Training
  • Gender Equity Membership Program
  • Sliding Scale Fees
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MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH

  • MIDDLE SCHOOL

ROSIE’S GIRLS CAMP

Rosie’s Girls® is our STEM and trades career exploration summer day camp for middle school girls and gender-expansive youth. At Rosie’s Girls camps, youth are introduced to career fields that are non-traditional for their gender, like construction or welding, through hands-on learning in a supportive and empowering environment. Campers also learn personal and social skills to navigate school, friendships, and more through our Power Skills curriculum. Our staff lead by example in creating an environment that is safe and confidence-building and encourages youth to lift each other up in trying new things and taking positive risks. We offer camps in communities across Vermont each summer.

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Rosie's Girls campers play a game outside holding hands at summer camp.
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL

ROSIE’S GIRLS AFTERSCHOOL

Rosie’s Girls Afterschool adapts our popular summer camp - providing middle school girls and gender-expansive youth with hands-on STEM and trades career exploration opportunities - into an afterschool program. Each year, we train schools and community organizations to host and facilitate Rosie’s Girls Afterschool in their community. We provide our partners with facilitator training, curriculum, supplies, and registration support to run a successful program. Learn more about Rosie’s Girls Afterschool and partner with us today!

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A Rosie's Girls Afterschool participant hammers a bird house together with the help of a volunteer assistant.
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • HIGH SCHOOL

TECH CENTER PROGRAMS

We partner with career and technical education centers across Vermont to encourage more female and gender-expansive students to enroll in these non-traditional career training programs and work with staff to create inclusive, equitable learning spaces. At Career Challenge Day, middle school students explore their local technical center through a hands-on event, trying activities in program areas like welding, automotive, and construction led by tech center students and instructors. Explore all our program offerings for Vermont career and technical education centers.

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Middle School student learns how to solder pipes at Career Challenge Day

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH

  • HIGH SCHOOL

LAUNCHING INCLUSIVE FUTURES IN TRADES

Launching Inclusive Futures in Trades (LIFT) is a week-long summer program for high school girls and gender-expansive individuals who have an interest in the skilled trades and would like to pursue it further. LIFT provides participants with hands-on exposure to a variety of trades fields in a safe, fun, and empowering environment. Learn more and apply for the next cohort.  

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LIFT participant uses hammers to shape metal pieces.
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • HIGH SCHOOL

TECH CENTER PROGRAMS

We partner with career and technical education centers across Vermont to encourage more female and gender-expansive students to enroll in these non-traditional career training programs and work with staff to create inclusive, equitable learning spaces. At Career Challenge Day, middle school students explore their local technical center through a hands-on event, trying activities in program areas like welding, automotive, and construction led by tech center students and instructors. Explore all our program offerings for Vermont career and technical education centers.

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Middle School student learns how to solder pipes at Career Challenge Day
  • HIGH SCHOOL

YOUTH@WORK

Youth@Work is a series of personal and professional development workshops for Vermont high school girls. VWW staff facilitates trainings and discussions on a variety of career readiness topics, including self-advocacy at work, communication, leadership, personal finance, and more. By creating nonjudgmental affinity spaces, Youth@Work fosters peer support and allows students to engage in conversations about unique issues women typically face in the workplace. At the same time, students build confidence and feel empowered to harness their own skills and strengths. Learn more about integrating Youth@Work into your high school.

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A group of young women wearing backpacks stand together, posing for a photo. High school students can participate in Youth@Work.
  • HIGH SCHOOL

WOMEN CAN DO!

Women Can Do is our annual, statewide career exploration conference for high school girls and gender-expansive youth. At Women Can Do, hundreds of students from across Vermont visit the Vermont State University - Randolph campus to explore careers through hands-on activities and conversations with dozens of Vermont employers. Students learn about a variety of careers in STEAM and skilled trades they can pursue after graduation and connect with community resources. Each year, students leave the conference believing they can do anything! Explore the different ways you can participate in Women Can Do – as a school, volunteer, exhibitor, and sponsor.

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Two female high school students use a two-man crosscut saw under the supervision of a Green Mountain Club employee at Women Can Do 2022.

ADULT

  • ADULT

EMPLOYMENT & CAREER SERVICES

Our Employment and Career Services help women to gain employability skills that can lead to meaningful work and economic stability. Our work is targeted to serve women in transition: women with substantial barriers to employment such as generational poverty, histories of substance use disorder or incarceration; women transitioning between career fields; and women advancing in their careers. Typically our programs are offered in community and classroom settings in Chittenden and Franklin counties; during the pandemic, we shifted to providing coaching and employment support primarily via phone and video chat. Explore our free online-learning platform, Build Your Skills, to help advance in your career journey.

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Vermont Works for Women's Employment and Career Services Manager sits down at a table with a participant.
  • ADULT

CAREER MENTOR NETWORK

Our Career Mentor Network follows the motto “lift as we climb.” Through our network, women and gender-expansive individuals ages 16 and up can access free mentorship from any one of our 100+ volunteer mentors who are experienced, working professionals in Vermont. Mentors offer insights into a variety of roles and career fields, support with writing resumes/cover letters and practicing for a job interview, and advice on how to achieve one’s career goals. Our mentor network is free and flexible to meet your needs. Sign up today!

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Young woman rests her head on clasped hands while she looks at a computer screen. All Vermont women can participate in VWW's Career Mentor Network.
  • ADULT

TRAILBLAZERS: TRADES TRAINING PROGRAM

Vermont Works for Women’s roots are in training women to enter careers in the skilled trades. We continue to offer trades training to this day through our Trailblazers program. Offered in several communities around Vermont, Trailblazers trains women and gender-expansive individuals ages 18 and up in construction skills over seven weeks. Participants earn certificates in OSHA-10 and get hands-on experience through field trips, community build projects, and a three-week paid onsite work experience with a local employer who has participated in our gender equity training. Find out where and when we will be offering Trailblazers next!

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Two women work together to build a picnic table at Trailblazers, Vermont Works for Women's trades training program for women.
  • ADULT

JUSTICE-INVOLVED SERVICES

As a contracted service provider for the Vermont Department of Corrections since 2001, our staff works with justice-involved women to develop personal and job skills during their time at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Our prison-based programming includes career coaching, helping participants to make a transition plan, facilitating job training programs, group workshops, and bringing in guest speakers to encourage and empower our participants. We focus on meeting the specific needs and goals of each participant to support their successful re-entry into the community. After the women are released, we continue to offer employment and transition support to aid in their reintegration.

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Vermont legislator Kesha Ram speaks to a group of incarcerated women at Enrichment Night in the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Enrichment Night is one of the services VWW offers to justice-involved women.

BUSINESSES/COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

  • Business/Community

GENDER EQUITY SERVICES

We offer gender equity services for employers and schools to create inclusive and equitable workplaces and learning environments. Our sliding-scale paid services include professional development workshops, individualized consultation, focus groups, employee resource groups, and ongoing support tailored to the needs of the company, school, or technical center. Our workshop topics range from building awareness of gender bias in the workplace to implementing strategies to recruit and retain diverse candidates. Contact our Gender Equity team today to determine which services best meet your needs.

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Vermont Works for Women Program Manager Missy Mackin speaks to dozens of employees at AO Glass.
  • Business/Community

GENDER EQUITY ADVANCEMENT ROUNDTABLE (GEAR)

Gender Equity Advancement Roundtable (GEAR) is a space for businesses, nonprofits, schools, and advocates to learn about best practices and policies for supporting women in the workplace. For a one-time annual fee, GEAR members are invited to four learning sessions each year where they hear from equity experts, access resources and tools, and network with other employers who are working to implement equity and inclusion into their everyday operations. People can sign up for GEAR at any time in the year and tap into the membership benefits. Sign up for GEAR today and work alongside us to advance gender equity and economic justice in the state of Vermont.

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Woman looks at a laptop where a virtual meeting is taking place, exemplifying Vermont Works for Women's virtual Gender Equity Advancement Roundtable or GEAR program.
  • Business/Community

ADVOCACY

VWW serves as a voice for women and girls in Vermont. As such, we regularly engage in advocacy efforts on issues that impact women’s economic justice including equal-pay, childcare, family/medical leave, sexual harassment, and workforce development. By working on the whole system – from the individual needs of women and girls to workplace culture to public policy – we are creating real change that moves the needle on economic justice for women.

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Vermont Works for Women's Executive Director Rhoni Basden stands in front of a podium in front of state officials at the Vermont State House. Sharing testimony is one part of VWW's advocacy efforts.