Owning Your Future
One of the impacts of this long recession is the number of professionals who are finding themselves downsized or out-sourced. These people are not helped by traditional programs in the Department of Employment and Training. Right now, there is an amazing supply of very talented professionals working to "reinvent" themselves and find jobs in this challenging economy.
The traditional unemployment system always had a small percentage of professional folks looking for work. Many of these higher qualified workers traditionally went to "head hunters," companies that specialize in placing professionals, to find suitable jobs.
The recession has created a sudden influx of very qualified professionals looking for a new job that has overwhelmed traditional ways of finding employment.
Welcome to Smartvt.org.
Smartvt.org is a group of delightful folks with such a wide range of professional expertise I can't begin to tell you the many talents they possess. They have come together to solve their own work issues and act as a resource to help others. They offer their combined expertise to help a new business get going, or an older business to look at itself in a new way. They help their own members find jobs and help themselves find new jobs.
While these professional folks can certainly help themselves, I think they have amazing potential to help create new jobs and new companies in Vermont.
Smartvt.org is a great example of how difficult times can lead to something new and better. I think it is important to see this group as the valuable resource they are and figure out how to use their resources to create good jobs for more Vermonters.
Another group that I have had time to talk with is the Vermont Employee Ownership Center. Just as the name implies, this group helps business make the transition to being owned by employees. I was impressed with the companies that are already Employee Owned here in Vermont; places like King Arthur Flour, Carris Reels, Chroma Technology and Gardener's Supply to name a few.
In a time when we are worried about work being outsourced, companies being sold and jobs leaving the state, supporting employee ownership makes a lot of sense.
I believe there are a number of things we can do as a state to help and encourage current businesses to make the transition to employee ownership. I am committed encouraging new businesses to think about this path as a direction to grow their company as they become more successful.
The more I travel the state, the more I am convinced that we have all the answers we need to grow really good jobs in Vermont.
Government does not create jobs; all we can do is facilitate their creation.
My goal as governor is to provide the leadership to identify the many avenues that are available for job growth and create a plan that takes advantage of these great resources.
Let's work together to bring new leadership to the governor's office, to build a better future based on Vermont's values and traditions.
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Thank you for your support! Please contact me to visit your area to explore the challenges and successes in your part of Vermont, or just to talk.
Sincerely,
Susan Bartlett
Bartlett for Governor