Vermont Department of Labor

What Vermont Department of Labor does

The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) is a state government agency under the executive branch of the State of Vermont, founded in 1936 and headquartered at 5 Green Mountain Drive, Montpelier. The agency's mandate is to improve the lives of working Vermonters and is organized across six service divisions: Unemployment Insurance (UI), Workers' Compensation, Workforce Development, Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA), Worker Rights & Wages, and the Economic & Labor Market Information (E&LMI) Division. VDOL operates through 11 American Job Center physical locations, the VermontJobLink.com digital job-matching platform, a UI Claims Center (1-877-214-3330), virtual services via Microsoft Teams, and recurring regional job fairs (Spring/Fall Job Fest series). Primary customer segments are job seekers (general, youth 15–24, veterans, refugees/immigrants, federal-worker-displaced, workers with disabilities) and Vermont employers across manufacturing, healthcare, construction, retail, hospitality, and government. The agency also delivers tech-enabled services including a Tableau-based statewide labor market dashboard (county-level unemployment, labor force participation, employment), a continuously available UI claimant portal via my.vermont.gov, and reporting tools for employers (UI rate notices, mass-layoff WARN reporting).

VDOL's business model is government-funded rather than commercial. Employer UI contributions flow into the State's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund against a 2026 Taxable Wage Base of $15,400 to fund benefits. Annual state budget appropriations and federal grants (including a documented $2,283,000 U.S. Department of Labor award on 2023-08-08 and FY2025 grants of $75,000 to AGC-VT, $20,726 to VYCC for New American youth, and another $75,000 to VYCC for the timber-framing pre-apprenticeship) finance workforce-development, Registered Apprenticeship programs, youth services, and the Adult CTE infrastructure grant program (three grants up to $300,000 each, $100,000/yr for three years). Pricing is not disclosed because services are provided to the public free of charge.

VDOL's distribution combines direct public-sector employer-of-record service delivery with a partner-mediated ecosystem: Mutual MOUs with VT National Guard (PRIME Program, 2025-07-23) and VAMHAR (Recovery Friendly Workplaces, 2026-06-02); "We to Them" partnerships with VMEC, AGC-VT, VYCC, Building Heritage, Timber Framers Guild, NEK Chamber of Commerce, Addison County EDC, and Vermont Rural Education Collaborative. The agency is led by Commissioner Kendal Smith (appointed from Interim role) with Deputy Commissioner Chris Winters and division directors Jay Ramsey (Workforce Development), Mathew Barewicz (E&LMI), and Dirk Anderson (Workers' Compensation and Safety). The agency employs 101–250 staff and operates across all 14 Vermont counties with infrastructure extending from Brattleboro to the Northeast Kingdom.

Name

Vermont Department of Labor

Legal name

Vermont Department of Labor

Website

https://labor.vermont.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Vermont Department of Labor is a Montpelier-headquartered state government agency that administers unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, workforce development, workplace safety, and labor-market data, serving job seekers and employers across all 14 Vermont counties through 11 American Job Centers and VermontJobLink.com.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Workforce Services

NAICS

Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs) (92313)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Labor, Employment Standards & Workforce Development Administration (BPAIABAN)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Unemployment insurance administration
• Labor market information
• Workers compensation services
• Workplace safety regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Montpelier

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Unemployment Insurance Contributions: The department administers the state unemployment insurance program. Employers pay UI contributions based on wages up to the Taxable Wage Base ($15,400 for 2026), deposited into the State's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund for paying benefits to unemployed Vermonters.
2. State Government Funding: As a state government department, operates primarily through annual state budget appropriations and federal grants for workforce development programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Vermont Department of Labor is a state government agency that administers workforce development, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, workplace safety, and labor market information services for Vermont residents and employers. Core services are delivered through 11 American Job Centers, the VermontJobLink online platform, and dedicated regulatory and data divisions, serving both job seekers and employers across all 14 Vermont counties.

Product overview

The Vermont Department of Labor operates as a state government agency offering a comprehensive suite of workforce services organized into distinct service divisions. The core portfolio includes Unemployment Insurance (UI) for benefit administration, Workers' Compensation for injured workers, Workforce Development providing career services via a network of Job Centers, and the Vermont JobLink digital platform for job matching. Regulatory divisions include VOSHA (workplace safety) and Worker Rights & Wages. Training programs encompass Registered Apprenticeships and specialized services for veterans, refugees, and youth. The E&LMI division produces labor market analytics. These offerings function as interconnected services rather than a unified software platform, supporting job seekers, employers, and workers across Vermont.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Unemployment Insurance (UI) Provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who lose their jobs, including claims processing, fraud prevention, and UI tax administration for employers.
• Workers' Compensation Administers workers' compensation benefits for injured workers, including claims management, provider relations, and employer compliance.
• Workforce Development Provides employment services including career counseling, job search assistance, training programs, and job fair coordination across Vermont Job Centers statewide.
• Vermont JobLink Online job matching platform connecting Vermont employers with job seekers; offers job postings, career resources, hiring events, and training program discovery.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program Facilitates earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship programs combining on-the-job training with technical instruction across high-demand sectors including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, IT, and early childhood education.
• Veterans Services Provides priority employment services, training opportunities, and resume support to help veterans transition to civilian careers.
• Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) Enforces workplace safety standards, provides compliance assistance, and administers the Green Mountain Voluntary Protection Program (GMVPP) for workplace safety recognition.
• Worker Rights & Wages Protects worker rights including minimum wage enforcement, overtime compliance, child labor protections, and FMLA administration under Act 32.
• Economic & Labor Market Information (E&LMI) Produces and disseminates economic and labor market data including unemployment rates, employment statistics, wage data, and occupational information for policymakers, businesses, and job seekers.
• Job Centers Physical career resource centers across Vermont offering personalized job search assistance, resume writing, interview preparation, and workforce training connections.
• Refugee and Immigrant Employment Support Employment services and career pathways specifically designed for refugees and immigrants entering the Vermont workforce.
• Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) Unemployment insurance program specifically for former federal employees, with specialized forms and filing processes (SF-8, SF-50, ES-935).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,300 job seekers connected with nearly 250 employers in Spring Job Fest Series
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026MOU to support expansion of Recovery Friendly Workplaces in Vermont. VAMHAR provides training and certification to employers; VDOL promotes certified employers to job seekers. Initiative supports people in recovery in finding supportive workplaces while helping employers grow their teams.
• Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025Partnership to support manufacturing businesses and workers by expanding apprenticeship opportunities. VMEC assisted with development of Registered Apprenticeship programs for Vermont Aerospace Industries and Weidmann Electrical Technology.
• Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2025Two grants awarded to VYCC: (1) $20,726 for Agricultural Workforce Training for New American youth ages 15-18; (2) Grant for Pre-Apprenticeship in Timber Framing in partnership with Building Heritage and Timber Framers Guild.
• Building Heritage and Timber Framers GuildsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2025Partnership with VYCC to launch Vermont's first formally registered pre-apprenticeship in timber framing. 17-week program with 5 participants constructing timber-frame facilities.
• Vermont National Guard (VTNG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2025MOU under PRIME Program (Partnered Recruiting Initiative for Military and Employers) to connect VTNG Service members and families with civilian employment opportunities. Facilitates referrals between VDOL and VTNG for employment and internship opportunities.
• Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC-VT)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025VDOL awarded $75,000 grant to AGC-VT for Heavy Equipment Simulator Training Initiative to expand workforce training and engage students in career exploration.
• Northeast Kingdom Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Pilot project for Workforce Expansion Program focusing on manufacturing and healthcare workforce in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties. Partners with local employers, schools, hospitals, and career centers.
• Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Pilot project for Workforce Expansion Program focusing on healthcare and manufacturing in Addison County. Reinforces and expands Addison County Workforce Alliance (ACWA) efforts.
• Vermont Rural Education CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2025Partnership for Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program providing pathway to teaching credentials for community members, often already working in schools. Over 25 Registered Apprentices completing program in May.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Indeed: Indeed is the dominant private-sector job-matching platform that competes directly with VermontJobLink.com for employer job postings and job-seeker traffic — serving the same matching use case with vastly greater reach.
• U.S. Department of Labor: The federal parent agency funds, oversees, and sets policy for state labor agencies including VDOL. While not a direct operator of Vermont's Job Centers, it is the broad incumbent that frames VDOL's regulatory and funding environment.

Direct peers

• California Employment Development Department (EDD): California's state labor agency administers unemployment insurance, workforce development, and labor market information — the same core service portfolio as VDOL, with parallel regulatory authority and program structure.
• Texas Workforce Commission: Texas's state labor/workforce agency administers UI, workforce development, and labor market intelligence with comparable authority and service mix to VDOL's mandate.
• CareerOneStop (American Job Center Network): The federal CareerOneStop initiative underpins the American Job Center network of which VDOL's 11 Job Centers are part — direct peers operating shared infrastructure on labor market information, job search, and training.
• New York State Department of Labor: NYSDOL delivers an equivalent set of state labor services (UI, workers' comp, workforce development, labor market data) to New York employers and job seekers, making it a structurally identical peer agency.
• Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Pennsylvania's state labor agency provides parallel UI, workers' comp, workplace safety, and workforce development services, making it a strong structural peer despite Vermont's smaller scale.
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development: Massachusetts's state labor department oversees UI, workforce development, apprenticeship, and labor market data — a tightly comparable peer and New England neighbor with shared regional workforce dynamics.
• New Hampshire Employment Security: New Hampshire's state labor agency administers UI, job matching, and labor market information for a similarly small New England state — closely comparable in scale and mission to VDOL.

Emerging players

• ZipRecruiter: ZipRecruiter is a private job marketplace and AI-matching platform that overlaps with VermontJobLink's job-posting and job-seeker matching value proposition, drawing employer spend away from state labor agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VTLabor
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/VermontDepartmentofLabor
• Facebookfacebook.com/VTLabor
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vermont-department-of-labor

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vermont Department of Labor