STEM-Connect: Career Training in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Disciplines

STEM-Connect will expand and improve UVM's ability to deliver education and career training programs in STEM-related fields by creating certificate programs that can be completed in less than two years. Stackable certificate programs will be created in subspecialties of engineering, computer science, mathematics and statistics for traditional students and non-traditional adult learners. These programs will be developed in collaboration with employer partners and will require the completion of a combination of college courses and work-based learning opportunities. A number of the courses for each certificate will be offered online to accelerate completion and increase access. The certificate programs are designed specifically to offer new opportunities to non-traditional adult learners, with priority to veterans and TAAeligible workers. Approximately 150 veterans, TAA-eligible workers, unemployed, underemployed and/or other adult learners are expected to be served by STEM-Connect over a four year period. STEM-Connect will build an internal staffing infrastructure within UVM CEMS to launch active outreach campaigns in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Labor, the Vermont Army and Air National Guard, the Vermont Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other nonprofit and government agencies. Participants will be recruited into stackable certificate programs for subspecialties which may include: webdevelopment, software engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), surveying, manufacturing processes, actuarial statistics, and computer programming. The certificate programs that include a work-based learning opportunity, such as an internship or cooperative, will be awarded college credit along with technical and general education college courses. These stackable certificates include: STEM-related technical certificate; STEM-related applied technical certificate; and a STEM-related professional certificate.