Dear Editor, S.313, a bill that proposes to express legislative intent to transform Vermont’s career technical education (CTE) system, passed the Senate and was referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on March 20, 2026. It has bipartisan support and appears to be gaining the necessary traction to transition from intent to action. I have faith in our elected and appointed officials, but they will need our help. Transforming our current CTE system will address several challenges identified by our state leaders. These include three key elements: First, affordable housing. In the next five years, we need 24,000 to 36,000 additional year-round homes, or 4,800 to 7,200 per year. To put that in perspective, Vermont issued permits for just 2,456 homes in 2023. We need an injection of skilled trade employees here in Vermont to begin to reach these goals. Where do these skilled trade employees come from? Our schools and, more specifically, the CTE programs.  The second issue is workforce development. Vermont will need thousands of additional skilled trades workers to meet affordable housing construction targets. The state’s construction workforce stands at approximately 15,000 — but because most of those workers are already committed to infrastructure projects, the workforce effectively available for new housing is far smaller. Further exacerbating the shortage, approximately 2,000 construction workers exit the workforce every year. Department of Labor officials told the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs committee in May 2025 that over the next decade, Vermont will need 5,000 new carpenters, 930 plumbers and 550 electricians. Vermont has approximately 78,000 students attending public K-12 schools — a pipeline that remains largely untapped. Our Technical Education Centers are more than a part of this solution; they are the solution. They are our future. Every public-school student in the state should have equal opportunity to pursue and secure a high school diploma by attending one of our many CTE centers. Yes, there are obstacles and challenges we must address — transportation being one of them — but a viable solution exists. We must work together to find it. READ MORE Finally, demographics. The average Vermonter is about 43–44 years old. Only about 17% of residents are under 18. Why is Vermont older than most states? Many young adults move out for jobs or school. The state historically attracts retirees and older residents (I am one of the older residents, but I am not sure I can afford to retire here). Finally, we have among the lowest birth rates in the U.S. This results in the third-highest median age among all states.  How would S.313 lower our median age? In my opinion, and those of others connected to the CTE programs, CTE graduates are more likely to stay in Vermont if we provide them with the skills necessary to immediately join the workforce without debt and with endless opportunities — right here in their home state. These young professionals could eventually transition to entrepreneurship, something Vermont desperately needs. They will establish families that enrich our communities, making them vibrant and full of hope. S.313 is just one piece of the puzzle. A puzzle that we must solve. We have no choice. What we are doing now is not working. Our high school graduates remain Vermont’s greatest export. Let’s change that narrative by seeing S.313 to the finish line. That finish line will quickly become the starting line for generations to come.  Jeremy Baker, Londonderry, Vt. Read the story on VTDigger here: Jeremy Baker: We’re exporting our best asset — Vermont’s own kids. ...read more read less