Workforce Development and Training Programs in West Virginia WV EDC 2019 Legislative Conference Charleston, West Virginia January 23, 2019

West Virginia Training Awards Programs Administered by the West Virginia Development Office, the Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program (GGWFP) plays an important role in attracting new businesses and encouraging the growth and expansion of the state’s existing companies. The program provides training funds and technical assistance to support effective employee training strategies.

Investing in our workforce Continued Workforce Investment for a growing economy in the Mountain State In its 28th year of existence, the GGWFP has become a valuable incentive tool for assisting in the economic development efforts for the West Virginia Development Office.

2018 ggwfp projects 53 Projects in 24 Counties

Training awards Overview The Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program provides training awards for eligible new and expanding companies that create at least 10 net new jobs within a 12-month period. Overall funding levels are based on need, wages and benefits, location of the facility, number of employees, and number of individuals to be trained. Awards cannot exceed $2,000 per trainee.

Eligible industries Major priority for funding consideration is the manufacturing industry. Other businesses within the WVDO key industries are also eligible, i.e. Fulfillment/Distribution, Technology and Information Services, Tourism and Energy.

Ineligible Industries Retail, construction, and service organizations; such as retail outlets, construction firms, hotels/motels, restaurants, and other non-manufacturers that make their business decisions because of existing business activity in an area; and training support, in these industry sectors, is not an economic development factor. Therefore, these organizations and/or businesses cannot be considered for funding by the GGWFP.

Competitive Improvement Program (CIP) funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission West Virginia’s Competitive Improvement Program (CIP), funded by the ARC, helps existing businesses that may not be in a hiring mode to train and/or retrain their employees, thus stimulating their global competitiveness, as well as address critical workforce issues through customized workforce training. Requirements: Can assist small (less than 50) and medium-sized (50 - 500) companies that have been in business in West Virginia for a minimum of 1 year. Cannot serve Fortune 500 businesses. 50/50 cash match and an in-kind contribution required.

Program Guidelines for GGWFP & CIP Businesses must be tax compliant prior to applying for or receiving reimbursement for training funds Businesses can utilize external training providers and/or in-house Subject Matter Experts. Both the GGWFP and CIP are reimbursement programs. Businesses apply for funding, will receive a contract from the WVDO, pay for the approved training, then seek reimbursement. Prior to reimbursement, proof of payment and trainee roster must be submitted.

Program Benefits Using these awards, West Virginia businesses improve productivity and profitability, reduce work force injuries, increase worker morale and provide higher quality products and services. West Virginia benefits through the emphasis on sharing lessons learned by businesses, training providers and technical service providers. As well, these programs use local community colleges, universities and public education to leverage additional resources whenever possible.

Proven return on investment Fiscal Year 2018 Summary

Program partners Each organization faces different challenges. The Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program has successfully developed partnerships with WorkForce West Virginia (7 Regions), community colleges, universities, and public education to leverage additional resources for our West Virginia Businesses, thus ensuring the most cost-effective training for our customers.

Workforce West Virginia WorkForce West Virginia helps companies or businesses find the right workers, saving them time and money. With the largest online database of job seekers in the state, WorkForce can match qualified applicants to employers which increase worker retention and productivity. WorkForce West Virginia is a one-stop center for workforce resources, including training, tax incentives and labor market information at no cost. WorkForce West Virginia works with the seven local Workforce Development Boards throughout West Virginia to provide funding for classroom and on-the-job training opportunities for adult, dislocated, and youth workers.

WV Community & Technical College System West Virginia Community and Technical College Systems offers grants and programs that link companies with Colleges. Whether it’s customized training, skill enhancements, certificate or associate degree programs, if a company needs education or training to get the right workforce- West Virginia’s community and technical colleges are prepared to deliver.

Employer Partnership Programs (Grants) Learn & Earn connects employers with students through colleges, allowing students to take technical courses while gaining paid work experiences. The student pay is shared by the company and the college, and students receive at least $10 per hour in the field they are studying in. 50/50 employer & college matching reimbursement

Tech program development Tech Program Development supports the creation and development of technical programs that are in high demand, lead to high-wage careers, and enhance economic development efforts across the Mountain State. Eligible programs must target high-demand occupations that will result in wages averaging at least $12 per hour with benefits.

West Virginia Advance Grant West Virginia Advance Grant is a rapid-response grant program designed to assist employers in meeting an immediate training need. Employers can receive skills upgrades and customized training for current employees or pre-employment training for future employees.

Combined Awards in West Virginia

Apprenticeship In Motion (AIM) The Apprenticeship In Motion (AIM) program promotes and expands nontraditional apprenticeship activity in the Mountain State. For the first time in the state’s history, the AIM program hosted summits to train companies and small businesses in West Virginia on how to integrate the apprenticeship model into their human resource practices. Over 400 attendees representing 240 unique companies and small businesses attended the summits located around the Mountain State.

2018 AIM Summit locations

2019 Reverse Job Fairs The West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Department of Commerce’s Apprenticeship In Motion (AIM) Initiative is hosting a series of Reverse Job Fairs at Career and Technical Education (CTE) Centers across the Mountain State. CTE Simulated Workplace students will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders as well as showcase their technical skills, projects and portfolios to businesses that attend the event.

Reverse Job Fair Locations

Sharon L. Adams Manager, Business & Industry Training West Virginia Department of Commerce (304) 558-2234 | Sharon.L.Adams@wv.gov WestVirginia.gov