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community well-being and workforce readiness. 06/09/2025 Brattleboro Development Alex Beck - Welcoming Communities Manager - Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation & SeVEDS Presentation on ICAN to the region. Focused on addressing specific needs and exploring potential partnerships. Regional Needs: Training and Support for Refugees: The discussion highlighted the region's need for enhanced training programs and better support for the refugee population. These efforts are crucial for integrating refugees into the workforce and community. Potential Partnerships: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation: The corporation is actively working to become a WIOA- approved training provider, aiming to introduce new training opportunities in the area. This development could pave the way for a future partnership with ICAN, addressing the region's current training gaps. Challenges and Considerations: Employer Collaboration: The region currently experiences limited collaboration with employers, which poses challenges for workforce development. Strengthening these partnerships is essential for creating more job opportunities. Paid Training Programs: It was noted that training programs need to offer financial compensation to attract participants, particularly those who require income to engage in full-time training. The presentation underscored the importance of targeted training initiatives and strategic partnerships to meet the region's workforce needs effectively. 06/10/2025 Rutland Workforce Investment Board Wendy Mores - Vermont Department of Labor Regional Manager, A meeting was held with local employment and vocational providers alongside key employers to discuss 1/29/26, 10:27 AM State Plan VT FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-vtfy26stateplan//index.html 13/159