First Lady Dr. Jill Biden recently stopped in Vermont as part of the Biden Administration’s “Investing in America” tour. The visit to Vermont, which also included U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, was to highlight the good work being done in the state to prepare students through the state’s career and technical education programs.
Recent Federal investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the CHIPs and Science Act mean millions of dollars are available to further this type of education and create opportunities across Vermont for students seeking a career in the trades.
The visit centered around BETA Technologies in South Burlington, a Vermont company on the cutting edge of developing and producing electric powered aircraft. The company also has an internship program dedicated to supporting students with an interest in the jobs of the future.
“What you are doing in this community is the future of our workforce, how we grow our economy from the bottom up and the middle out,” said the First Lady. “Keep innovating in how you have high schools and colleges work together so that every young person has a pathway to the jobs that are critical to rebuilding our infrastructure, propelling our clean energy future and revitalizing our manufacturing right here at home.”
Governor Phil Scott welcomed the First Lady when she landed and toured BETA Technologies with her and along with Vermont’s Congressional Delegation. Governor Scott, a Republican who benefited from technical education while a student, welcomed the Democratic first lady saying some issues are above politics. He also emphasized the importance of this moment.
“If we do this right, all the infrastructure work that’s being contemplated will move our nation forward, not only economically, but beyond the divisive partisanship that’s become the norm in our country. Dr. Biden, I don’t know you well, but I think you’d agree in my belief that everyone is born with a gift, and sometimes we just need to explore long enough to find it,” said Governor Scott. “So as we work to make the most of this historic opportunity, our job is to make these educational paths easier to find, interesting to explore, and rewarding to pursue.
Read more about the visit from local news outlets WCAX and VT Digger who both covered the event. Read Governor Scott’s full remarks including his own story of how technical education supported his early career aspirations.
