What's In The News at The Southwest Vermont Career Development Center

Current News:

Spring Newsletter
   June, 2008

CDC Forestry Students at Work
   April, 2008

CDC Cosmetology Program
   March, 2008

Winter Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 2
   Winter, 2008

• News From 2007:

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CDC Forestry Students at Work

The Forestry Program at the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center is closing in on the completion of a five week project with the Bennington Museum. The project consists of thinning out the woodlot located next to the Museum, known as the Hadwen Woods Trail, an area nature trail and picnic area owned by the Museum.

Bennington County Forester, Nathan Fice contacted Dave Dence and the CDC Forestry Program for the job. “I felt they and their equipment were best suited for this type of job” said Fice. “The job is called a ‘Crop Tree Release’ and it consists of thinning out trees that have become too tight and too tall in their race for the sky” said Gary Hewson, first year Forestry program student. The remaining trees are expected to grow a diameter of 3 to 4 feet once the lot is thinned out. “If temperatures remain cool, we expect to get the job done mid March” said Dence. The reason for cooler temperatures is so the ground stays frozen, and doesn’t turn to mud, making it difficult to run heavy machinery.

There are many students in the Program that want to pursue careers in Forestry and Logging. “This is your classroom” said Dence to his students. He stated that some of his students bring outside experience, but for the most part they are learning Forestry for the first time by getting involved in real hands-on opportunities.

“Bennington County Forester, Nathan Fice has been to the site twice, and has commented on the good job the students are doing and how immaculate the lot looks; that makes me feel good” said Dence. “All in all, the students have performed very well…’ ‘It has been a real pleasure to work with Dave and his class and I fully intend to utilize their services in the future” said Fice.

The Forestry Program recently purchased a new bulldozer and in the students’ words, this has made all the difference. When students were asked their thoughts on the new, much needed equipment they all had something to say- “It’s awesome’; ‘it’s a lot easier to maneuver’; ‘everything works’; ‘it has lights’; ‘it runs in ‘reverse’; ‘it’s much smoother’, ‘it has a caged-in cab, making it safe for students to use” added Dence.

The wood cleared from the lot will be sold to a local contractor who plans on building a log garage; the profit from the sale will be split between the Forestry Program and the Bennington Museum. Dence is looking to purchase coats for his students to wear on future job sites.

This is just one of the many community service projects the Forestry Program has taken part in. The Program participated in The Capitol Christmas Tree Celebration, cutting down trees which accompanied the Nation’s Christmas Tree to the Capitol. They worked reconstructing the playground for UCS making the grounds larger and building drainage for the property, they also assisted the Town of Bennington on the sewer line at the Little League Park.
By: Jessica Ericksen

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Do You Love Animals?

Do you love animals? Have you dreamed of earning a living by helping to keep animals safe, happy, and healthy? If so, then you'd be well-suited to a career as a Veterinary Assistant.

To get started, you might want to consider the new Veterinary Assistant Career Certificate Program now being offered by the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center]. This 485-hour online program was developed to teach you everything you need to know to jump into this rewarding field.

Participants will learn the basics of animal anatomy, physiology, and biology as they relate to the care and treatment of common pets, livestock, and lab animals. They'll acquire the essential skills needed to assist veterinary nurses in all aspects of basic treatment, surgery, and radiology. They'll also become proficient in the administrative practices and procedures involved in running a veterinary office.

Kathy Ruane, Chief Instructor of the Veterinary Assistant program, says, " I know firsthand just how rewarding and satisfying a career in veterinary care can be. People entering the field today are lucky because it offers more opportunities now than ever before. For those eager to get started in this exciting field, the Veterinary Assistant program is the perfect next step."

Students can take the "Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program" from the convenience of their home or office, and at any time of the day or night. For more information about this program-part of a growing catalog of online courses-contact the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center at 802-447-3596, or go to the Adult Education page Online program link at www.svcdc.org.

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The Learning Institute partners with State of Vermont Economic Development, Vermont Training Program for training grant

In partnership with the Vermont Training Program of the Vermont Department of Economic Development, The Learning Institute and the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center are offering workforce training to Vermont employers in manufacturing, health care, information technology, telecommunications, and environmental technology. A $25,000 grant contract will provide Bennington County employers funding assistance for Learning Institute and CDC sponsored training for employees in technical areas, computers, supervision, customer service, communications, and other skills.
 
Act 46 of the Vermont Legislature has emphasized the importance of training Vermont’s workforce by providing over 2 million dollars this year for the Vermont Training Program, doubling its funding and opening this grant fund to employers in these four other industry sectors in addition to manufacturing.

Phil Fagan, Director of the Vermont Training Program, said this is “an investment of our tax dollars back into the workforce”, and “these tax dollars are working to improve the ongoing need for skills and education.”

The Learning Institute and the Career Development Center provide courses and programs listed at the website, www.svcdc.org, on the Adult Education page. Key staff are meeting with employers to discuss training needs, inform about funding resources, and assist with training course development. Employers in any of these five industry sectors should contact Bob Mazur, Adult Services Coordinator, at 447-3596 for information about training grants and services.

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Career Development Center announces new Fall programs for workforce and community

Adult Education, Learning Institute, and Online Learning help adults upgrade technical skills, succeed in business, and meet personal interests

BENNINGTON - Adults taking advantage of courses through the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center’s Adult Education, Learning Institute, and Online Learning programs this Fall will benefit from new technical skills, boost their success with business, and increase personal satisfaction and rewards. Starting in September and throughout the Fall, a wide variety of training offerings, certificate programs, workshops, and online courses are available for employees, job seekers, those pursuing new careers, and community members interested in learning.

New courses and workshops listed include Principles of Manufacturing, Positive Communication, Fundraising and Development, Event Planning, Geographic Information Systems, Google Sketchup, Conversational Spanish, and Interior Decorative Finishes. The CDC continues to offer skill training with computer software, business, graphic and web design, medical office, pharmacy tech, manufacturing, languages, and creative interests. Some popular courses include Microsoft Excel, Quickbooks, Web Page Design, Grant Writing, Medical Terminology, Medical Insurance Billing, AutoCAD, Blueprint Reading, Industrial Electricity, Supervisory Skills, and Customer Service.

Instructors are chosen from industry, schools, and the community based on their expert level of knowledge and experience, and their proven track record in education and training. Adults attending courses recently have described their experiences as “very useful”, “hands on”, “relevant”, “fun”, “would absolutely recommend to others”.

Courses and programs for Fall are listed at the CDC website, www.svcdc.org, on the Adult Education page. Contact Bob Mazur, Adult Services Coordinator, at 802-447-3596 for course brochures, information, financial aid applications, and to enroll.