Southwest Tech

What Southwest Tech does

Southwest Tech (legally Southwest VT Regional Technical School District) is a public regional career and technical education center headquartered at 321 Park Street, Bennington, Vermont, sharing a campus with Mt. Anthony Union High School. The institution operates 13 secondary technical programs spanning Automotive Technologies, Building Trades, Manufacturing Technology, Forestry & Heavy Equipment, Medical Professions, Accounting & Finance, Business Management, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts (ProStart), Graphic Arts, Human Services, Law Enforcement, and TV & Video Production, plus a Work-Based Learning pathway established under Vermont Act 77. High school students from 15 sending towns in Bennington County and adjacent New York and Massachusetts enroll for half-day technical instruction; adults can pursue short-term credentialing in CDL, LNA, Phlebotomy, Welding, Massage Therapy, Dental Assistant, Bookkeeping, and Butchering Fundamentals, with prices ranging from $799 (Intro to Welding) to $8,799 (Massage Therapy).

Name

Southwest Tech

Legal name

Southwest VT Regional Technical School District

Website

https://swtech.org

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Southwest Tech is a public regional technical school district in Bennington, Vermont, delivering career and technical education through 13 high school programs and adult credentialing courses to students across 15 Vermont towns and adjacent New York and Massachusetts communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHADAD

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Community & Junior Colleges

SECONDARYBPACANAB

Technical & Digital Skills Training

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Training, Learning & Development Services

Keywords

• Career technical education
• Adult vocational training
• High school CTE programs
• Industry certification training
• Technical skills education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bennington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. High School Student Programs: Funded through sending school districts. Vermont resident adults without a high school diploma are secondary students eligible for tuition paid by their local school district. Programs are provided at no direct cost to enrolled high school students.
2. Adult Education Tuition: Adults with high school diplomas are charged tuition for technical education programs. Financial aid may be available through VSAC grants, Vermont Trades Forgivable Loan Program, and other sources.
3. Short-Term Adult Training Programs: Fee-for-service programs including CDL ($3,399), LNA ($2,199), Phlebotomy ($1,999), Welding ($799), Massage Therapy ($8,799), Dental Assistant ($3,195), and Bookkeeping ($2,625).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Southwest Tech operates as a regional career and technical education center, providing hands-on technical training through 13 high school programs and multiple adult education courses. Programs embed high school academic credit, industry-recognized certifications (OSHA 10, ServSafe, ASE, AWS welding, QuickBooks Certified User, MBLEX, AHA BLS, CDL), and college credit articulation agreements with CCV, Paul Smith's College, Keene State College, and others. Adult learners can enroll in short-term fee-for-service programs including Phlebotomy, CDL Class B, Massage Therapy, LNA, Dental Assistant, Welding, Bookkeeping, and Butchering Fundamentals.

Product overview

Southwest Tech is a regional technical school district offering career and technical education (CTE) programs for high school students and adults. Its core offerings are organized into 13 high school technical programs and multiple adult education programs. High school programs include Automotive Technologies, Building Trades, Business Management, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Forestry & Heavy Equipment, Graphic Arts, Human Services, Law Enforcement, Manufacturing Technology, Medical Professions, TV & Video Production, and Accounting & Finance. Adult education offerings include Phlebotomy, CDL Training, Massage Therapy, Licensed Nursing Assistant, Dental Assistant, Bookkeeping with QuickBooks, Welding, and Butchering Fundamentals. The institution also provides a Work-Based Learning program connecting students with regional employers. Programs embed academic credits toward high school graduation while offering industry-recognized certifications and college credit articulation agreements with institutions including Community College of Vermont, Keene State College, and Paul Smith's College.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automotive Technologies Program A two-year career and technical education program teaching engine mechanics, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, customer care, wheel/tire alignment, and state inspections. Prepares students for ASE certifications and various automotive careers.
• Building Trades Program Prepares students with foundational skills in carpentry and basic electrical wiring, including blueprint reading, construction safety, tool operations, framing, roofing, plumbing, HVAC systems, and energy-efficient construction techniques through hands-on projects.
• Business Management Program Equips students with skills for entrepreneurship and leadership, covering business principles, sports and entertainment management, personal finance, and team building. Includes hands-on experience operating the 321 Perk @ the Campus Store.
• Cosmetology Program Prepares students for careers in hairstyling, nail care, and skin care. Students learn skills required for the State Board of Cosmetology Licensing Exam and gain real-world experience through collaborations with local salons.
• Culinary Arts Program A ProStart program offering hands-on training in cooking, baking, food safety, and menu planning through an on-site restaurant. Students earn ServSafe Manager Certification and up to 8 college credits.
• Forestry & Heavy Equipment Program Introduces students to forest science and heavy equipment operation. First-year students learn safe equipment use and forest management; second-year students engage in community projects including timber harvesting and arboriculture.
• Graphic Arts Program Teaches visual communication through project-based learning. Students gain experience in design fundamentals, Adobe software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and client relations, preparing for careers in graphic and digital design.
• Human Services Program Prepares students for careers in psychology, education, and social work. Students learn human development, mental health, communication skills, and workplace readiness with hands-on experiences in local schools and elder services.
• Law Enforcement Program Provides an in-depth exploration of the criminal justice field, covering U.S. and Vermont legal systems. Curriculum includes police communication, crime scene investigation, criminal law, patrol procedures, and hands-on exercises such as mock traffic stops.
• Manufacturing Technology Program A comprehensive two-year curriculum introducing students to manufacturing experiences including milling machines, lathes, CNC machines, and welding techniques (MIG, TIG, arc welding). Students earn OSHA 10-General Industry certification and AWS welding qualifications.
• Medical Professions Program Prepares students for healthcare careers with foundational knowledge in medical ethics, vital signs, venipuncture, infection control, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Includes job shadowing experiences and AHA BLS certification.
• TV & Video Production Program Teaches students to produce videos and television programs using professional cameras, microphones, lighting, and Adobe Premiere Pro. Students produce and analyze stories in YouTube/Web, documentary, interview, music video, and montage formats.
• Accounting & Finance Program Develops critical thinking and math skills while mastering accounting operations, Microsoft Excel, and accounting software. Students gain hands-on experience through the Heritage Family Credit Union branch on campus and the Campus Store.
• Work-Based Learning Flexible pathway established through Act 77, creating partnerships between local industry and students who have excelled in first-year programs. Provides mentorship and job placement connections for students.
• Phlebotomy (Adult Education) An 84-hour adult education program preparing students for entry-level phlebotomy positions. Covers quality patient care, safety protocols, specimen collection, medical terminology, and infectious disease control. Includes preparation for national phlebotomy technician certification.
• Intro to Welding (Adult Education) Basic course introducing AC/DC stick and Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding. Students learn horizontal welding applications and receive hands-on training from day one. No previous experience required.
• Commercial Driver's License Class B (Adult Education) Prepares students for a career driving commercial vehicles including straight trucks. Trains students on pre-trip inspection, safe operating procedures, vehicle systems, and standard transmission driving. Course includes classroom, lab, and on-road driving instruction.
• Massage Therapy (Adult Education) A 500+ hour program preparing students for careers as massage therapists. Covers anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, Swedish massage, and soft tissue manipulation. Graduates are prepared to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEX).
• Licensed Nurse Assistant (Adult Education) A 100-hour program preparing students for entry-level nursing positions. Covers quality patient care, diagnostic procedures, and medical terminology. Graduates are prepared to pass the state licensure exam to become Vermont Licensed Nurse Assistants.
• Dental Assistant (Adult Education) An online asynchronous program of 300 course hours over 6-12 months preparing students for entry-level dental assistant positions. Includes optional clinical skills externship at a local dental practice.
• Bookkeeping with QuickBooks (Adult Education) An entirely online 100-hour program teaching basic bookkeeping and accounting principles using QuickBooks Online. Covers recording income and expenses, reconciling accounts, creating invoices, managing payables and receivables, and generating reports. Prepares students for the QuickBooks Certified User Exam.
• Butchering Fundamentals (Adult Education) A hands-on program teaching whole animal butchery including primal, sub-primal, and case-ready cuts of chicken, pork, lamb, and beef. Covers preparation and cookery techniques with emphasis on food safety and USDA regulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates enter healthcare, trades, and business careers or continue to post-secondary education
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Paul Smith's CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement allowing Forestry & Heavy Equipment students to earn college credit toward degrees at Paul Smith's College. Students can transfer credits for advanced placement in forestry and related programs.
• Keene State CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for Forestry & Heavy Equipment program. Also has agreements for Manufacturing Technology students to transfer credits toward engineering or technology degrees.
• Community College of Vermont (CCV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple articulation agreements across programs including Graphic Arts (Adobe Creative Cloud, Graphic Design, Typography), Culinary Arts (Food Service Sanitation, Culinary Foundations), Medical Professions (Human Biology, Medical Terminology), TV Production (Digital Filmmaking), Law Enforcement (Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement in America), Business Management, and Accounting. CCV's Fast Forward Program allows students to earn up to 12 free college credits.
• Ohio Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement available for Automotive Technologies and Forestry & Heavy Equipment students seeking advanced placement in technical programs.
• University of New HampshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement with Forestry & Heavy Equipment program for college credit transfer.
• National Restaurant Association (ProStart)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthwest Tech Culinary Arts is a ProStart Program following nationally recognized curriculum. Students can compete for trophies, prizes, and scholarships. Program follows National Restaurant Association standards for cooking techniques, employability skills, and ServSafe certification.
• Vermont Association for the Education of Young ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman Services program offers Vermont State Pre-Apprenticeship Program through this association, providing career pathways in early childhood education.
• Heritage Family Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-campus branch of Heritage Family Credit Union provides Accounting & Finance students hands-on experience in banking and financial services while serving the school community.
• White Mountain Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary Arts students can earn 2 credits for Food Service Sanitation (Year 1) and 3 credits for Culinary Foundations (Year 2) through this college.
• American Massage Therapy AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthwest Tech is a member of AMTA, supporting Massage Therapy program students with professional development and industry resources.
• VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corp.)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerVSAC provides grants and scholarships including Advancement Grant (up to $3,000) and Curtis Credential of Value Scholarship for adult students. Martha McCaughin serves as regional EOC advisor helping adult students navigate financial aid.
• Vermont Department of LaborcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWIOA funding available for job seekers to cover training costs. Vermont Youth Employment Training Fund supports training for individuals up to 24 years old.
• HireAbilityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState agency helping individuals with disabilities fund training programs at Southwest Tech to enhance job skills and employment opportunities.
• HOSA - Future Health ProfessionalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization providing leadership development, competitive events, and pathways for health profession students. Kathy Slade has coached 27 student competitors at HOSA International Leadership Conference.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• River Bend Career and Technical Center: Vermont regional CTE center serving the Mad River Valley region with secondary and adult technical programs; shares regulatory and funding context with Southwest Tech and operates a similar school-district governance model.
• Stafford Technical Center: Vermont regional technical center offering CTE programs for high school students and adult learners; comparable in mission, program breadth, and regulatory context to Southwest Tech, and shares the same statewide CTE ecosystem.
• Center for Technology, Essex: Vermont CTE center serving Essex and surrounding communities; peer in scale, mission, and regulatory context, offering high school and adult technical programs with similar articulation pathways.
• Burlington Technical Center: Vermont's largest regional technical center serving Burlington-area high school and adult learners with comparable CTE programs in trades, health, and creative fields; directly comparable as a peer Vermont technical center.
• Green Mountain Technology and Career Center: Vermont CTE center serving high school and adult students in the Lamoille/Washington region with similar program portfolio (trades, health sciences, culinary, etc.); directly comparable as a peer Vermont technical center under the same state framework.
• Cold Hollow Career Center: Vermont CTE center located in Hardwick serving regional high school and adult students with technical/trade programs; peer in scale and mission under the Vermont CTE regulatory framework.
• Hannaford Career Center: Vermont regional CTE center serving the St. Albans/NW Vermont region with high school and adult programs in trades, health, and creative fields; directly comparable as a peer Vermont technical center.

Broad incumbents

• Universal Technical Institute: National for-profit provider of technical/trade education in automotive, diesel, welding, and industrial trades; comparable in adult technical training offerings (especially CDL-adjacent and welding), but operates at scale across multiple states rather than as a regional CTE center.
• Lincoln Tech: Multi-state for-profit career and trade school with programs in automotive, HVAC, healthcare, and skilled trades; comparable in adult technical training scope (CDL-adjacent, welding, medical assisting), but operates as a national chain rather than a community-anchored regional CTE provider.
• Community College of Vermont: Vermont's primary community college system and a key articulation partner for Southwest Tech; broader post-secondary institution serving similar adult learner population with credit-bearing technical programs, but at the college rather than secondary level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SouthwestTechTV/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/SWTechVT
• Instagraminstagram.com/swtechvt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Southwest Tech