This year, VYCC Crew Leaders can earn up to 12 college credits at no cost, while also earning wages for their work.
In partnership with the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) and the Community College of Vermont (CCV), Crew Leaders who pass an assessment can earn as many as 12 college credits through CCV’s prior learning assessment program.
The Crew Leader is a paid, seasonal position for young adults (ages 20+). While applicants must arrive with certain qualifications, Leaders also complete a paid training program.
VYCC’s Leader training, delivered by our professional staff, covers six comprehensive courses recognized by the Community College of Vermont. The team will deliver 94 workshops this year across five training periods. Training combined with field experience across the season results in up to 12 CCV credits for each Leader, which is equal to one semester.
More Options for the Future
Nathan Treadway is a 2022 Leader with VYCC’s Food & Farm Program. After graduating from Burlington High School, he completed five semesters at the University of Vermont.
“I needed to work full time,” explains Nathan. “I was also starting to reconsider my double major in History and Classics. The careers I could go into didn’t seem immediately attainable. I’d end up with a ton of debt. I decided to pause school and work full time for a while. I happily ended up at VYCC. We were in the farmyard when we learned about the credit. It was a cherry-on-top kind of moment.”
The cost for prior learning assessments is currently covered by the All Learning Counts Grant, awarded by the Lumina Foundation to NEBHE, in partnership with NEBHE and CCV.
Because CCV is part of the Vermont State College System, these credits are fully transferable to any Vermont State College. Other transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis by the receiving school.
Earning Aid Toward Tuition
VYCC has employed 37 people this year who, as Crew Leaders, are eligible for college credit. In addition to credit and credentials, all Leaders earn wages. Some Leader positions are AmeriCorps positions which, upon successful completion of their term of service, awards Leaders a Segal Education Award that they can put toward past or future education expenses.
2022 Leader Ash McGrann was the first Crew Leader to take advantage of this benefit and shared her perspective with Seven Days.
Read the article:
From Field to Classroom: Work Outdoors and Earn College Credit With Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
