Vermont Announces New State Workforce Development Board

Office of Workforce Strategy and Development
Announces New State Workforce Development Board
MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Office of Workforce Strategy and Development announced today the members of Vermont’s new State Workforce Development Board (SWDB), which includes business owners, workforce experts, municipal officials, and representatives from state government. Together with the new Office of Workforce Strategy and Development, the Board will enhance the coordination of Vermont’s workforce system in order to better address Vermont’s workforce crisis.
 
Act 146 of 2024 created the Office of Workforce Strategy and Development and restructured the State Workforce Development Board. Given Vermont’s constrained labor market, it also highlighted the importance of aligning education, training, and workforce development efforts across state government, as well as among community partners and employers.
 
“One of the greatest challenges we face as a state is a shortage of workers. To solve this, we need to attract more working-aged families to Vermont,” said Governor Phil Scott. “The State Workforce Development Board plays an important role in developing employer-driven solutions across the workforce system to solve this crisis.”
 
The new 27-member Board has both federal and state responsibilities. Its duties include advising the Governor on workforce policy and overseeing Vermont’s One-Stop American Job Center system as outlined under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Under both state and federal law, the Governor or their designee also serves on the board.
 
"I am honored to serve as Chair of Vermont’s State Workforce Development Board and to work alongside such a dedicated group of leaders.,” said Jay Bellows, Chair of the SWDB and CEO of KORE Power. “Strengthening our workforce is critical to the state’s economic future, and this Board will play a key role in aligning training, education, and employment opportunities to meet the needs of Vermont’s businesses and workers. Together, we will build a workforce system that supports innovation, growth, and prosperity for all Vermonters."
 
Appointed by Governor Scott in early January, Sabina Haskell serves as the Executive Director for the Office of Workforce Strategy and Development and administrator for the Board.
 
The Office of Workforce Strategy and Development is charged with advising the Governor on policies and practices that grow and strengthen Vermont’s workforce, convening stakeholders across the public and private workforce system, and developing comprehensive workforce strategies that address the State’s current and future labor needs.
 
Members of the board represent a cross-section of Vermont’s workforce and employer landscape with diverse backgrounds from a variety of sectors. The following includes the newly appointed members of the Board.