General Info:
HistoryNortheast Employment and Training Program was incorporated in 1978 as a 501 ( c ) for the purpose of delivering educational and charitable programs to low-income Vermonters. The initial board structure was set up to respond to federal mandates and to the mandates of the low-income community. Its initial primary funding source was the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. However, shortly thereafter the agency also was awarded Department of Energy funds to deliver the Weatherization Program in the Northeast Kingdom. The agency rapidly became a national leader in innovative programming both in CETA and Energy/Home Rehabilitation activities initiating such programs as Vocational Exploration Program and Comprehensive Group Assessment. Both remain national programs almost twenty years later. In 1980 with the massive federal cuts under then President Reagan, NETO, Inc was forced to cut back and reposition its activities. The agency was however able to retain its low-income focus and although many other non-profit agencies fell by the wayside, NETO, Inc survived and actually expanded its weatherization activities.In 1986 in response to an RFP issued by the Department of Employment and Training, NETO, Inc joined forces with the Economic Development Office of Northern Vermont and Johnson State College to create the Entrepreneurial Training Program. The program was designed to assist low-income individuals to move into self-employment. In the following years the Vermont ETP has enjoyed much success in offering excellent service to clients. Twice it has been honored with awards from the Governor.In 1992, NETO further expanded its agency when it created Home Energy Assistance Technology ( HEAT ), a private for profit arm that delivers a variety of services including energy audits, lead inspections, and home insulation and rehabilitation activities. This program, too, has become recognized for its high quality and creative responses to problem situations.The corporation NETO has been and continues to be ably led by its Volunteer Board, some of whom have served since the agency's inception These individuals have directed NETO, Inc into leadership roles with employment programs, energy programs and now self-employment programs, showing their unfailing dedication to low-income Vermonters and flexibility and creativity in problem-solving.