Opinion Letters

Vermont builders workforce shortage? Learn about Learning Organizations as a solution for attracting and retaining skilled carpenters.

Future-Proof Your Building Company: The Power of a Learning Organization

What is a Learning Organization? Problem Statement: There are far too many builders in Vermont who continue to suffer from a lack of an applicant pool of skilled carpenters, see the workforce that has slid from the once esteemed image of grit, and face a culture resistant to change and ongoing learning. The challenge for […]

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Guy Payne, Executive Director, SEON (Sustainable Outreach Network), Vermont's building science training and certification

Growth Must Be Pursued Consciously and Sustainably

High-performance building isn’t just a profession; it’s an avenue for young minds to shape a future that marries economic growth, environmental preservation and personal fulfillment. by Guy Payne, Executive Director of SEON (Sustainable Energy Outreach Network) Ali Jalili’s call for Vermont to grow its population for economic sustainability and vitality is a resonating one. However, this growth

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Robert Swinburne's New England Dream House is just one of the high performance homes he he built - the Sugarbush House

To Live the New England Dream, You First Must Build the New England Dream

To Live the New England Dream, You First Must Build the New England Dream. In order to truly invest in your home, neighborhood, and community, it is crucial to start with constructing an efficient, sustainable house that minimizes waste and environmental impact while saving on building costs. This involves using eco-friendly building materials and designing an energy-efficient home with features like quality insulation, energy-saving windows, and airtight construction. Reducing waste during construction is also vital, which can be achieved through prefabricated components and reusing or recycling materials.

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