South Burlington, VT — The Vermont Business Roundtable’s Research and Education Foundation unveils an innovative report highlighting the pressing demand for skilled nursing professionals in the state within the next two years.

According to the Vermont Department of Labor, the healthcare industry accounts for nearly 12% of Vermont’s workforce, employing more than 37,000 people as of the third quarter 2023. However, the sector has seen a decline of 1700 jobs, or approximately 4.5% compared to the same period in 2019. Nowhere is the shortage more acute than in residential care, where employment numbers have dropped by 11% since 2019. In comparison, both ambulatory (out-patient) and hospital employment numbers have decreased by 3% for the same period.

The VBR Foundation’s Vermont Nursing Needs Assessment 2024-2026 report underscores the importance of investing in education for high-demand careers in the nursing profession. It also highlights the significant workforce challenges faced by healthcare providers including rising patient volume, more severe illness, an aging population, and a shortage of custodial care. These challenges are compounded by staff burnout, difficulty hiring and retaining skilled nurses from out-of-state, and a reduced supply of available workers. Continue reading “VBR Research & Education Foundation’s New Report Assesses and Forecasts Critical Nursing Needs [3.11.24]” →

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT – At its 37^th Annual Membership Meeting held January 11^th, the Vermont Business Roundtable elected new officers: Chair Sara Byers, Leonardo’s Pizza; Vice Chair Rebecca Towne, Vermont Electric Cooperative; Treasurer Neale Lunderville, Vermont Gas Systems; and Secretary John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank.

At the meeting, members elected the following new directors to their first three-year term: Dr. Sunil “Sunny” Eappen, The University of Vermont Health Network; Evan Langfeldt, O’Brien Brothers; and Mike Solimano, Killington Mountain Resort. Continue reading “Roundtable Elects New Leadership for 2024 [1.16.24]” →

South Burlington VT – Vermont  Talent Pipeline Management (VTPM) and Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) have teamed up to advance employer-driven workforce solutions. The partnership represents a dedication to manufacturing as a critical sector requiring focus to build capacity and efficiencies in talent sourcing and developing essential skills. VMEC is now the host organization of Vermont Talent Pipeline Management for the Manufacturing Sector. Continue reading “Vermont Talent Pipeline Partners with VMEC to Address Supply if Manufacturing Workforce Skills [2.6.23]” →

Sara Byers Becomes Third Woman to Chair the Roundtable

(South Burlington, Vt.) At its 36^th Annual Membership Meeting held January 12^th, the Vermont Business Roundtable elected new officers: Chair Sara Byers, Leonardo’s Pizza; Vice Chair Rebecca Towne, Vermont Electric Cooperative; Treasurer Mark Crow, Tenth Crow Creative; Secretary Don George, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont; and, Immediate Past Chair Judith O’Connell, Champlain Investment Partners.

Also, at the meeting, members elected new directors to their first three-year term: Neale Lunderville, Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) and Dimitri Garder, Global-Z International. Continue reading “Roundtable Elects New Leadership for 2023 [1.15.23]” →

To, in advance of the State of Vermont’s Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force’s final determinations and report, the Roundtable submitted the following position statement: Continue reading “Roundtable Issues Pension Plan Position Statement [11.30.21]” →

Seth Bowden Elected to Lead the Roundtable

(South Burlington, Vt.)  Today, the Vermont Business Roundtable (Roundtable) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Seth Bowden, Executive Vice President at Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC), will become the next president of the organization. Bowden will assume the role from Lisa Ventriss who retires this year after 19 years leading the Roundtable. Continue reading “Vermont Business Roundtable Announces Appointment of Next President [4.8.21]” →

by Mark Crow, Chair, VBR Pension Reform Task Force and President, Tenth Crow Creative

What if you owed someone a substantial amount of money and were making annual payments each year to pay down the debt. However, every year, year after year, the amount you owe and the annual payments you must make increases – significantly.

Now, what if at the same time, you owed someone a separate substantial amount of money but there was no schedule to pay it back. You were making some intermittent, smaller payments when the lender periodically asked for them, but there was no plan in place to pay off the entire debt. And, like the first debt, each year, the amount you owe increases – significantly.  Continue reading “Mark Crow Op-Ed: The Time is Now for Pension Reform [03.22.21]” →

Foundation Board to Grow Targeted Workforce and Education Programs

This month, the Vermont Business Roundtable announces new and expanded governance of its VBR Research and Education Foundation. The Foundation complements the mission of the Roundtable, by promoting educational opportunities to help Vermonters thrive in a local and global economy. 2021 Directors and officers include: Continue reading “VBR Expands its Research and Education Foundation [2.8.21]” →