Vermont Precision Tools adds Career & Education Wellness for its employees

WINOOSKI (April 4, 2019)— Vermont Precision Tools, the Swanton manufacturer of high precision tools used in the automotive, medical and aeronautic industries, has added Career & Education Wellness, powered by VSAC, as a new benefit to provide employees and their families with enhanced education and training information.

“To deliver outstanding quality to our customers, we’ve made company-wide commitment to continuous improvement,” said Monica Greene, president. “That means we support teamwork and employee empowerment as part of our corporate philosophy. The Career & Education Wellness program allows our employees to gain the advanced skills they need to support these high-tech industries as well as plan for the future of their families.”

Career & Education Wellness is a new employer-based program from Vermont Student Assistance Corp., with dozens of course offerings relevant to employees’ needs and interests, whether for themselves or their children, said Rhonda Chesney, VSAC’s Career and Education Wellness expert.

“More and more jobs require advanced skills, and the cost of education continues to be a challenge for many Vermonters. Career & Education Wellness is an opportunity that helps employees expand the skills they bring to work every day as well as to help them navigate their children’s education,” Chesney said.

Workshop offerings are designed specifically to address the needs of employees with children in Vermont school systems and to provide support through career and college planning, enrollment, and success as well as workshops tailored to assist employees with their own education needs

Where one employee may want more information about saving for college or making sure their child is ready for school, another may need to better understand the ins and outs of personalized learning plans, flexible pathways and proficiency-based graduation requirements for their high schooler.

Others may be looking for guidance on how to tackle the college/training search and how to pay for college. Still others would benefit from workshops on loan repayment, or loan forgiveness. 

To date, VSAC has worked with employers in Chittenden, Franklin and Rutland counties, tailoring the workshops to the individual employer – and employees’ needs – through workshops, informal brown-bag lunches and personalized 1:1 counseling sessions.

“Education is the most powerful force in creating a vibrant economy and community,” said Kathy Lavoie, former executive director, Franklin Grand Isle Workforce Investment Board. “VSAC has years of experience in working with adults and can help employees and their family members explore their interests, identify training they may need now and understand the costs of continuing education.”

For more information on Career & Education Wellness, visit vsac.org\employer.

About VSAC – Changing Lives through Education and Training since 1965

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school. VSAC serves students and their families in grades 7-12, as well as adults returning to school, by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. VSAC has awarded more than $600 million in grants and scholarships for Vermont students, and also administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan. Share your VSAC story by email to myVSACstory@vsac.org or submit a video to YouTube. Find us at www.vsac.org or check in on Facebook and Twitter. #changing lives