What is ACWA?

ACWA Logo

The mission of the Addison County Workforce Alliance (ACWA) is to align the Addison County workforce development system to the needs of employers as well as job seekers through systematic and ongoing engagement and partnership.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Understand the current and future workforce needs of regional employers.
  • Establish and meet regional workforce development outcomes through coordination, collaboration, and networking of employers, employees and service providers.
  • Identify and focus workforce development resources available in and to the region to attain established outcomes.
  • Identify gaps in workforce availability and training/education in the region.
  • Develop strategies to fill gaps and meet the needs and the broader economic development goals of the community through regional workforce planning and regional industry-focused sector strategies.

The Alliance meets virtually on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. via Teams link.

ACWA is open to any Addison County workforce development service provider, educators from all levels, other community organizations involved in workforce development, and any Addison County employer. To join, contact Fred Kenney at fkenney@addisoncountyedc.org

Recent and Upcoming ACWA Activities:

Current ACWA Membership (Alphabetically)

Bernadette Brookes, Northlands Job Corps

Suzanne Buck, Vt Adult Learning (Also Chair, Hannaford Career Center Board)*

Margaret Burns, Middlebury College

Sherry Carlson, Let’s Grow Kids

Keith Collins, Middlebury High School

Kim Collins, Vermont Department of Labor

Rachel Cummings, Counseling Service of Addison County

Bill Cunningham, Tri-Valley Transit

Beth Demers, Community College of Vermont

Mary Ellen Giglio, HireAbility Vermont*

Sarah Kearns, Vt Small Business Development Center

Fred Kenney, Addison County Economic Development Corporation*

Charlie Kornman, Vergennes High School

Trisha LaFayette, United Way of Addison County

Martha McCaughin, VSAC

Wendy Morse, Vermont Department of Labor

Dana Peterson, Patricia Hannaford Career Center*

Natalie Reigle, Vermont Adult Learning

Steve Riegle, Counseling Services of Addison County

David Roberts, Vermont Adult Education, Hannaford Career Center*

Alan Saltis, Vermont Department of Health

Darla Senecal, Building Bright Futures

Jennifer Stefani, CCV Middlebury*

Phil Summers,  Addison County Chamber of Commerce*

Michelle Thompson, Vermont Department of Labor

Helena Van Voorst, United Way of Addison County

*Indicates Member of ACWA Steering Committee