CCV, State of Vermont Partnership Supports Workforce Development for State Employees 

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Community College of Vermont (CCV) plays a major role in workforce development by helping thousands of Vermonters access education and training each year. This spring, State of Vermont employees got a huge boost to their academic and professional careers through CCV’s Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) class. APL offers credit for college-level learning gained outside the classroom such as in the workplace, in the military, or through volunteerism. Two sections of APL were offered to State employees in Spring 2023, with impressive results.

Twenty students enrolled from a dozen divisions of state government. Students earned an average of 45 college credits in just one 15-week semester. This represents an average tuition savings of over $12,000, and over 600 classroom hours saved per student. It also translates to more than $250,000 in tuition savings for the State of Vermont. 

“The Office of Prior Learning Assessment is delighted to award credit in recognition of the college-level learning acquired by these hard-working students,” said Melissa DeBlois, director of Prior Learning Assessment, the Vermont State Colleges System program that includes APL and is housed at CCV. “When we first partnered with the State of Vermont to do this in 2019, many of those students benefited with promotions, new jobs, and confidence to continue with their academic goals. We expect that these 20 students will be equally successful in using their credits to advance their professional and academic opportunities in and for the State of Vermont.”

“One of the excellent benefits of working in state government is the opportunity for our employees to advance their educational and professional goals,” said Beth Fastiggi, Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources for the State of Vermont.  “In addition to a robust tuition assistance program, we were excited to offer this special opportunity for State employees through a partnership with CCV and the State’s Center for Achievement in Public Service (CAPS) in Montpelier—kudos to all of the participants in the APL class.”

To learn more about Prior Learning Assessment at CCV, visit ccv.edu/priorlearning.