Education and Training

Programs across the state offer everything from internships and full-time enrollment to on-the-job work and apprenticeships.
“My wife convinced me to move to Vermont from Louisiana after only visiting once. I was able to enroll in the ski lift mechanic apprenticeship program, which helped me adapt my previous oilfield experience to working on ski lifts. After completing the program and gaining more experience, I began to teach the course to help prepare lift maintenance personnel in Vermont to provide an exceptional experience for the skiing community."
- Joseph Demidow

Ski Lift Mechanic Apprenticeship Program

A three-year program including 6,000 hours of work experience and classroom instruction. 

This three-year program, overseen by the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL), consists of 6,000 hours of work experience including related class instruction of 75 hours for each level, with individuals becoming VT Trade Qualified Ski Lift Mechanic.

Vermont Ski Areas Association (VSAA) in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Labor, oversees the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) portion of this apprenticeship program. Together with instructors and industry professionals, they continue to update the program curriculum. Any individual 18 years or older working in lift maintenance for a Vermont ski area may participate as a registered apprentice or can choose to take the classroom training as a non-registered individual.

If you're interested in participating contact your ski area employer, look at available ski area jobs, or email info@skivermont.com.

See VT Dept. of Labor Apprenticeship Info Here

Resort & Hospitality Management, B.S.

A fast-track 3-year program at the base of Killington.

Classroom and hands-on learning | Paid work experience at Killington Resort | Network connections to start your career.

In the Vermont State B.S. in Resort and Hospitality Management program, you’ll gain the management and decision making skills you need to excel and make an impact in an exciting and fun field. And you’ll do it in a place of unforgettable natural beauty — Vermont. There’s no better place to dream big than Killington, the largest winter resort in the eastern U.S., and that’s where you’ll get valuable on-mountain experience. A variety of hands-on opportunities will help prepare you to be a leader in resort management and hospitality management careers and to adapt to industry changes. Whether you choose to work on a mountain, in a valley, or somewhere else, you’ll start your career with a great network of connections to support you.

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Snowsports and Outdoor Adventure Recreation Professional Certificate

TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A CAREER IN OUTDOOR RECREATION

The UVM Snowsports & Outdoor Adventure Recreation (SOAR) Certificate is a 15-week online program that builds business, operations, and sustainability skills for the outdoor industry. Learn from Vermont’s recreation leaders and prepare for careers in ski resort management, outdoor marketing, and adventure tourism.

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