Trailblazers Returns to Hartford
By: Jillian Scannell, VWW Marketing Manager
In early September 2025, 16 participants graduated from Vermont Works for Women’s (VWW) Trailblazers in Hartford. This was the third Trailblazers class hosted at the Hartford Area Career & Technology Center (HACTC), this continues to be a wonderful partnership and we are grateful for their continued support of Trailblazers.
Taught by long-time VWW instructor Tammy Ellis and HACTC Building Trades instructor Lance Johnson, Trailblazers spent seven weeks learning construction basics. Throughout the program, participants gain hands-on experience through field trips, community build projects, and paid onsite work experiences with a local employer.
Blower Door Test with Town of Hartford
During one class, Trailblazers travelled just down the road to visit the house being built by the HACTC Building Trades students. They were met there by Dana Clawson, the Sustainability Manager for the Town of Hartford, and learned how to conduct a blower door test. The blower door test is a tool used to measure the airtightness of a building. While the blower door is an important test for energy efficiency, it’s also important in identifying “sick buildings” with poor air quality.
Before starting the blower door test, participants used their new construction math skills to determine the volume of the house.
Community Builds with COVER Home Repair
Trailblazers spent two weekends with our friends at COVER Home Repair to put their new skills to use in support of the community.
One Saturday, Trailblazers split into two groups with one group working on a house repair in Thetford and the other group rebuilding stairs for a homeowner in White River Junction. Participants honed their hand and power tools skills, practiced working on various types of ladders, learned tips for materials handling, and much more!
Two weeks later, Trailblazers were back with COVER rebuilding stairs and adding skirting to a mobile home. Skirting covers the open space beneath the home – creating a barrier that keeps out pests and the elements and makes the home more energy efficient.
In addition to their work with COVER, Trailblazers also constructed two informational kiosks for the Clifford Park Food Forest in Hartford. Resilient Hartford, a town commission of volunteers, is working with the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department on a plan to develop a portion of Clifford Park into a food resource for neighbors of the park and Hartford residents.
Community build projects are crucial elements of every Trailblazers cohort. Trailblazers put their new construction skills to work while giving back to the community. We often hear from Trailblazers after class that they are continuing to use their skills to help neighbors with projects or volunteer with local organizations.
Work Experiences with Local Employers
In the final two weeks of Trailblazers, 15 participants completed on-site work experiences with local employers. The work experience gives participants the opportunity to spend time on a job site and gain a better understanding of the industry.
Hosting a Trailblazer is free for employers, all we ask is they participate in an Inclusive Workplaces training prior to the start of the work experience. These workshops are facilitated by VWW staff to ensure the job site is a supportive environment for our Trailblazers.
Host employers included: Alliance Group, COVER Home Repair, Daniels Construction, Earthshare Construction, Eli Joaquin, Emily Electric, Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, Hillside Builders, Housewright Construction, Montpelier Construction, Naylor & Breen Construction, Norwich Solar, River Street Construction, Snowdog Construction, and VHV.
After their work experience, one Trailblazer shared “This program has completely changed my life! I used to feel silly saying I wanted to pursue a career in the trades. Now I can confidently say this is what I want to do and who I want to be.”
Trailblazers is funded by generous supporters including: TD Bank, Hart Foundation, and Serve Learn Earn.