Steps West Virginia is taking to support workers

West Virginia continues to dedicate resources to further improve the state’s workforce opportunities and support continued enterprise growth. They have established three programs to help with these goals - Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program, Workforce West Virginia, and Community and Technical Colleges.

Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program

About the program

This program provides new or expanded companies with funds and technical assistance to support effective employee training. This targets the business’s entire workforce, not just new employees. Since the program’s launch, more than $54 million has been awarded to employers and nearly 200,000 employees have received training!

Eligibility for Guaranteed Work Force

Funding levels are based on average starting wages and benefits, location of the facility, the total number of employees, and the number of workers being trained.

Click here to learn more.

Workforce West Virginia

About the agency

WorkForce West Virginia is a state government agency that acts as a one-stop center for workforce resources including assistance throughout the hiring process, support for employee training, tax incentives, and labor market information. All services are available at 13 comprehensive career centers throughout the state.

Who does Workforce West Virginia help?

• Job Seekers – New to the job market, Veterans, and laid-off workers
• Employers – Businesses looking to hire qualified, skilled individuals
• Unemployed – We help both Claimants and Employers navigate the complexities of Unemployment Insurance Claims

Click here to learn about Workforce West Virginia

Community and Technical Colleges

About the opportunity

With this program, West Virginia offers businesses and industries the opportunity to partner with the state’s community and technical college system to develop specialized education and training programs. Many training programs have been in partnership with local companies and business investors.

Governor’s Economic Initiatives

The Office of Governor’s Economic Initiatives establishes advanced training opportunities through nationally accredited technical programs to target state economic needs while preparing the emerging workforce for successful careers.

To read more about the program, click here.

Industries that are thriving in West Virginia

Many companies are starting to recognize the many benefits of operating in West Virginia and are starting to take a foothold in the Mountain State. Here are some of the key industries that are making West Virginia their home!

Defense industry

West Virginia is ready to welcome defense companies and federal agencies seeking a strong workforce, opportune location, and exciting lifestyle for their employees. The West Virginia National Defense Industry Association (WVNDIA) provides additional support for the defense industry to grow and thrive.

Featured employer: Leidos

Manufacturing industry

West Virginia’s workforce ranks first in the U.S. for the lowest turnover rate in manufacturing-specific jobs. Consumers have constant contact with products containing elements made in West Virginia. The state’s diverse manufacturing sector includes chemicals, biotech/pharmaceuticals, primary metals, automotive components, fabricated products, wood products, and more.

Featured employer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Aerospace industry

The aerospace industry is a dynamic, emerging economic sector in West Virginia. The growing cluster of aerospace companies, from new innovators to established names in the industry, are fueled by numerous advantages.

Featured employer: Northrop Grumman

More growth industries in WV right now: Agriculture, Automotive, Building Products, Chemical/Polymer, Energy, Fulfillment Distribution, Information Technology and Metals.

Consider joining the world class workforce of #WestVirginia! Visit the West Virginia Resource Center for single click job searches, local hiring news, and information on work life in the Mountain State.

For more about what's happening in West Virginia about jobs & more be sure to follow the Twitter hashtag #yeswv.

This article is sponsored by WorkForce West Virginia. All opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.