Vermont’s construction sector is undergoing a transformation—not only in the tools and technologies it uses, but in how it attracts and prepares its workforce. The new Vermont Construction Academy (VCA), a nonprofit training center in Winooski, is helping reshape what it means to pursue a career in the trades.

Gone are the days when construction work meant little more than digging ditches or swinging hammers. Today’s jobs require a tech-savvy, skilled workforce able to navigate digital plans, interpret CAD designs, and operate GPS-guided machinery.

“Part of what we’re trying to do is overcome the perception that construction is low-tech, low-wage,” said Joshua Reap, president and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of New Hampshire and Vermont. “It’s the complete opposite of that. It’s high-tech, a great opportunity to make a good living and it involves a lot of technology.”

Reap points to the substantial economic impact of the industry in Vermont. According to ThinkVT, construction contributes to 40% of the state’s gross domestic product and generated nearly $869 million in wages this year.

And the pay is competitive. “A seasoned carpenter, for example, can earn $110,000 to $140,000 a year,” Reap said. “Most unskilled laborers start at $20 an hour, plus benefits. That’s pretty darn good tootin’ money in Vermont.”

Yet, despite these incentives, Vermont’s construction sector faces a critical labor shortage. Reap said the state loses about 2,000 construction workers annually due to retirement or relocation—an alarming trend that has elevated the shortage to a “crisis situation.”

“When you think about how much not only our population but also our industry has been graying,” he said, “we figure that, as an industry, if we don’t start growing now, we will not have a workforce in the next few years.”

Matt Musgrave, ABC’s regional director in Vermont, said the state’s high cost of living and housing crisis are also contributing to the shrinking labor pool. In response, ABC and local contractors joined forces to establish the Vermont Construction Academy.

“This is the first time, at least in Vermont, that I’ve seen such a big group of people with a common goal leverage all their resources to put something together we would never have been able to do on our own,” Musgrave said.

A Fast-Tracked Vision

The 10,000-square-foot facility opened in record time. Though the project would typically take seven years, Musgrave said thanks to donations, volunteer labor, and strategic partnerships, it was completed in just seven months.

The VCA offers industry-driven training through registered apprenticeships and upskilling courses for professionals. It aims to certify 100 new apprentices annually and includes programming for high school students, adult learners, and mid-career professionals.

“As contractors, we all got together and said, ‘We’re all struggling for workforce.’ Rather than compete against each other, we figured, ‘Let’s do this ourselves. Let’s build people professionally,’” Reap said.

A Comprehensive Approach to Building Careers

The VCA provides hands-on instruction using the National Center for Construction Education and Research curriculum. Apprentices work 2,000 hours with an employer-sponsor and receive OSHA certification and a credential from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The academy also includes a “boot camp” style pre-apprenticeship program focusing on tool basics, financial literacy, and soft skills.

“We want to develop well-rounded individuals so that we can have healthy people go out in the workforce and build Vermont,” Musgrave said.

To lower barriers to entry, ABC is exploring grant funding and a forgivable loan program to help students afford tuition. Those who stay with their employer for a certain period after graduating could have their loans forgiven.

Reap noted that while Vermont’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs play a role, they don’t fully prepare students for today’s industry demands.

“We’re finding, quite frankly, that the product coming out of CTE centers, a lot of kids are not prepared for the modern, professional construction operation,” Reap said. “They need more time learning how to read blueprints, how to do construction math and how to do cost accounting.”

A New Reputation for the Trades

Musgrave hopes the VCA can shift how young people view vocational training and the trades.

“Since I graduated high school in the mid-’90s, vocational-technical schools were always a penalty for people that didn’t fit in, as opposed to the right direction for someone that will fit in,” he said.

The Academy is planning its official grand opening in April. Over time, it will expand offerings for seasoned professionals who want to pursue advanced training or leadership roles.

“You’re always going to want to come back through our doors for advanced training because this industry continually evolves,” Musgrave said. “You’re always going to be tied to the VCA as an opportunity or conduit to help you further your career.”

At the end of the day, the VCA is searching for one key quality in its students: the desire to grow.

“If they have the heart and they want to learn, we can give them everything else,” Musgrave said.

Originally reported by Tim in Vermont Biz.