My start with HireAbility Vermont:
I first got connected with HireAbility Vermont in September 2023. I was a junior in high school and met Melissa Gardner from HireAbility and Amanda Gochie from VABIR in the student services office at my school in Bradford. I came in with a clear goal, I told them, “I want to work for the Town of Topsham so I can grade the roads, because they’re awful!” That was the beginning of everything.
I signed up for the Heavy Equipment class for the 2024–2025 school year and got started exploring different career paths. At one point, I found out I might not be able to get my CDL due to a disability. That was tough news, but it didn’t end my journey. With the support of my Transition Counselor, Alek Scully, and Amanda from VABIR, I started looking at other career options that didn’t require a CDL.
Thanks to some amazing teamwork between my heavy equipment instructor, Dylan, Amanda, and the folks at Casella Waste Systems, I got introduced to Tony and Anthony at their White River Junction location. I had some great conversations, did an informational interview, toured their shop, and that’s when I knew. I wanted to be a Diesel Technician.
What HireAbility Vermont means to me:
HireAbility Vermont has meant opportunity, support, and real-world connections. They helped me take my interests and turn them into something concrete. When things didn’t go as planned, like not being able to get my CDL, they didn’t let me give up. Instead, they helped me explore new options and supported me through every step.
They didn’t just talk about possibilities, they helped me meet people in the field, ask questions, and see what the job was really like. Because of that, I found a career that fits me. I interviewed with Casella, was offered a part-time role while I finished school, and officially started my full-time Diesel Technician Apprenticeship after graduation in April 2025. That would not have happened without HireAbility Vermont.
My advice for anyone who is thinking about connecting with HireAbility Vermont:
Do it
If you’re not sure what’s next after high school, or if you have a goal but don’t know how to get there, HireAbility Vermont is a great place to start. They listen. They support you. They help you find real opportunities that match who you are and what you want to do, even if that changes along the way.
It’s not just about getting a job. It’s about building a future that works for you. And that’s exactly what they helped me do.