In today’s fast-paced world, Vermonters expect timely, efficient, and impactful public services. Whether it's modernizing infrastructure, improving healthcare systems, or simplifying administrative processes, continuous improvement allows us to address these needs swiftly and effectively. By staying ahead of the curve, Vermont ensures its services are not only responsive but forward-thinking.
The Chief Performance Office offers a robust suite of training opportunities designed to empower employees, managers, and leaders. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, our Continuous Improvement Training Program equips you with the skills to:
- Tackle both emergent and persistent challenges with scientific precision
- Streamline processes for greater efficiency and impact
- Transition from a reactive to a proactive approach
- Lead transformative meetings and improvement events
- Elevate individual and team performance to new heights
- Build a culture of continuous innovation where great ideas flourish
- Become a catalyst for positive change across state government
- Drive meaningful outcomes for Vermonters
Our development opportunities align with the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition, which is a framework that describes how individuals progress through different stages of learning and skill development from novice to expert. Upon completing training, participants are generally expected to be at the Novice or Advanced Beginner levels. We recognize that expertise is developed over time through a combination of practical experience and continuous learning. To support this ongoing development, we offer various structured and individual field experiences to help participants advance to higher levels of expertise.
Courses
The training program includes 34 courses, ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours each. Of these, 15 courses are available on-demand through the Learning Management System (LMS), while the remaining 19 courses are offered live via Microsoft Teams or in person in Montpelier.
Most courses can be taken in any order at any time; however, some are designed as part of a structured series and have prerequisites, indicated by arrows in the graphics below.
Badges
Courses are organized into nine badges, which are groupings of related courses to support your learning journey. You are welcome to take any courses that interest you, regardless of whether you plan to complete a badge. Badges can be earned in any order, at any time, though we recommend starting with the Foundations of Continuous Improvement Badge.
Each badge includes an optional practicum available after completing all courses within the badge. The practicum provides an opportunity to apply training concepts to real-world challenges relevant to you, with additional one-on-one or small-group support from the Chief Performance Office. While completing the practicum is not required to earn a badge, it offers valuable coaching and mentoring to further develop your continuous improvement skills.
Learning Paths
Badges are organized into recommended learning paths, which group related badges into structured curricula designed to enhance your continuous improvement knowledge, skills, and abilities. While entirely optional, completing a learning path earns you a Certificate of Achievement from the Chief Performance Office.
Individuals who complete the Advanced Problem Solver or Operational Excellence Leader Learning Paths join an exclusive network of colleagues who have also completed these pathways. Members of the Advanced Problem Solver Network and Operational Excellence Leader Network receive invitations to quarterly meetings where they can share how they are applying their training, exchange insights, and collaborate to overcome challenges.
Questions
For any questions or more information about the training program, please contact Katie Bockwoldt (Statewide Director of Performance Improvement) at katie.bockwoldt@vermont.gov.