A new pathway to emerging technology careers
Green Mountain Work and Learn
The Green Mountain Work and Learn (GMWL) program is a curated gap year geared toward young adults interested in emerging technologies, but who have yet to decide on the appropriate educational paths to careers in these fields.
Overview
Vermont is home to dozens of companies that are industry leaders in emerging technologies, such as Semiconductors & Microelectronics, Advanced Manufacturing & Autonomy and Clean Energy Systems. Furthermore, Vermont firms specializing in areas such as construction, transportation, and the environment serve critical State and regional needs.
Distributed across the State, these expanding industries face challenges in recruiting skilled employees with the qualifications needed to help their organizations grow. Green Mountain Work and Learn (GMWL) is a curated gap year program that coordinates a paid opportunity for young adults to work with one of these exciting organizations, while also providing them extra guidance to help them identify an appropriate career path.
GMWL is a unique collaboration between the University of Vermont (UVM) and Vermont State University (VTSU) and the high-tech organizations across the state that are developing solutions to some of our world’s most critical and complex challenges. Completing the GMWL program may make you eligible for higher education assistance programs, such as UVM’s Vermont Promise.
Details
Vermont high school students apply to the GMWL program during their senior year through the link that will be found at the top of this page. The program is also open to young adults that graduated from a Vermont high school in 2025. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and no more than 20 years old as of June 1, 2026.
Students admitted to the program will be guaranteed a year-long paid internship. Before the internship commences, participants will attend in a credit-bearing, residential summer practicum, where they will develop job success skills. The practicum will also provide participants with opportunities to enhance their technical skills through training at university facilities and to form a community with other GMWL participants from across the State. There is no cost to this practicum, as the GMWL program has received National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to support its participants.
Following the summer practicum, students begin a year-long internship with a Vermont emerging technology company. During their internship year, GMWL mentoring sessions will prepare students for their next step, be it applying for a two-year or four-year college program or identifying an apprenticeship in the trades.
Once the internship is complete, participants choosing a college path can attend UVM or VTSU as part of the regular student body. As a student that remains in good academic standing, they may be able to work part-time as they complete their degree. During their studies, they may also be able to pursue specific certificate training that pertains to advanced manufacturing, energy systems or semiconductor technology.
Step 1
High school students apply to the GMWL program in the spring prior to graduation. Our industry partners will provide the specific skills and criteria they are looking for to aid in the admissions process
Step 2
Students admitted to the program will be guaranteed a year-long internship. First, they will participate in a summer practicum, where they will develop job success skills. The practicum will also provide students with opportunities to enhance their technical skills through training at university facilities, e.g., VTSU’s Manufacturing Center or Innovation Lab, UVM’s clean room, 3D printing lab, machine shop, or coding boot camp.
Step 3
Following the summer practicum, students begin a year-long internship with a Vermont technical company. During their internship year, GMWL mentoring sessions will prepare students for their next step, be it applying for a two—or four-year college program or identifying an apprenticeship in the trades.
Step 4
Once the internship is complete, students choosing a college path will attend UVM, VTSU, or CCV, as part of the regular student body. Students remaining in good academic standing may be able to work part-time as they complete their degree. During their studies, they may also be able to pursue specific certificate training in, e.g., Semiconductors (UVM) or 3D Technology (VTSU).
Contact Us
Please reach out to the contacts below should you have any questions.
GMWL Co-Directors
Maureen Hebert
maureen.hebert@uvm.edu
Jeff Frolik
jfrolik@uvm.edu
John Kidder
john.kidder@vermontstate.edu
The Green Mountain Work and Learn program is sponsored in part by the National Science Foundation (Award No. 2526026).
