Serve Learn Earn Launches New Website

Serve Learn Earn (SLE), a nonprofit workforce development collaborative, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website, www.servelearnearn.org. At the core of its mission, Serve Learn Earn is creating pathways to high-wage employment and affordable education. Each of our programs provides vocational training and the opportunity to serve the state through projects in critical areas such as flood rebuilding, housing, food security, outdoor infrastructure, conservation, weatherization and environmental education.

Founded in 2021 by the leaders of Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC), ReSOURCE, Vermont Works for Women (VWW), and Audubon Vermont, Serve Learn Earn works with over 550 Vermonters annually providing over 4,250 weeks of training and service opportunities. In the last year, participants earned over 300 industry-recognized credentials of value and college credit. Over $2 million dollars were earned in wages and stipends.

“Serve Learn Earn believes everyone deserve the opportunity to succeed. That’s why we provide paid training and service programs in communities across the state. The launch of our new website means we can share more widely stories of impact, as well as feature partner organizations and upcoming training opportunities. Through the site we will highlight our continued efforts to empower our young people and those sideline from quality employment through skill building, personal development, and connection with caring instructors and ready-to-hire employers.” Kate Gluckman, director of Serve Learn Earn shares.

“Workforce development initiatives are critical as we see Vermont’s population age, our young people leave their rural communities, and critical jobs go unfilled. We can help fill those gaps by providing training and support to unemployed and underemployed Vermonters and help them gain high-wage jobs.” Tom Longstreth, executive director of ReSOURCE said.

Breck Knauft, executive director of VYCC adds, “The SLE coalition is powerful because it brings together respected organizations and connect our programs across the state. This expands opportunities for each participant and employer, and builds VYCC’s capacity as a training and service organization for young adults.”

Focused on the building trades and conservation jobs, SLE programs work with folks ages 14+ and provides career development at all life stages, regardless of past experience or hurdles to employment. Including service as a core component of all programs, participants have the opportunity to make a real impact on Vermont’s affordable housing crisis, the conservation of our natural resources and outdoor recreation infrastructure, and our ability to reach our climate-related goals and reduce our use of fossil fuels.

“Through SLE, we have been able to expand our environmental-based training programs and feel strongly that we are helping to build the next generation of conservation leaders critical to Vermont’s ecological and economic future.” Kim Guertin, director of the Green Mountain Audubon Center shares.

Serve Learn Earn benefits Vermont employers as well by connecting them with highly motivated, trained applicants. Many programs include a paid internship or work experience; pairing local employers with participants free of charge. Many of these short work experiences turn into a job offer at the program’s completion.

“Employers and state agencies who host interns through our Trailblazer construction training program are eager to widen their recruiting efforts and see real value in improving their policies to be more welcoming to women and other marginalized communities. Because of workforce shortages, Vermont can’t afford to keep the status quo of historic practices that have prevented many from entering high need fields; it’s time to grow our workforce and SLE is helping do that.” Shares Rhoni Basden, executive director of Vermont Works for Women.

Serve Learn Earn has received support from the Vermont State Legislature for the past three years due to proven results across the state. Public funds are administered through the Agency of Natural Resources and Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation. Additional funding is leveraged from federal grants, AmeriCorps, and private philanthropy to support participants as they pursue training and career advancement while strengthening their communities through service.

Development of the new Serve Learn Earn website was supported through a generous grant from the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation and the Vermont Community Foundation.

To learn more about Serve Learn Earn, visit their new website at www.servelearnearn.org.

For more information about Serve Learn Earn please contact Kate Gluckman, director of Serve Learn Earn at kate.gluckman@vycc.org.