Located in:
I. b. Plan Introduction or Executive Summary
The Unified or Combined State Plan may include an introduction or executive summary. This element is optional.
Current Narrative:
The State of West Virginia is undergoing an economic renaissance as the economy both fully recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to diversify. During Governor Jim Justice’s term in office, the state has experienced a number of important business expansion and economic development announcements in diverse industries such as chemical and metals manufacturing, energy technologies, and aerospace. Most economic sectors have fully recovered from the COVID-19 economic downturn, led by construction and business services.1
As the West Virginia economy continues to grow and diversify, an educated and skilled workforce is crucial. Workers and students must be exposed to the new, high-quality job opportunities available in West Virginia through multiple avenues, especially an enhanced “No Wrong Door” public workforce system, which effectively coordinates work between state and local workforce partners, employers, post-secondary education institutions, and community-based service providers.
The goals and strategies of West Virginia’s No Wrong Door system seek to address chronic issues plaguing West Virginia’s workforce including:
- West Virginia’s labor force participation rate
- Low postsecondary educational attainment rates
- Youth leaving the state for jobs and careers
- Long-term unemployed and dislocated workers moving into new industries and jobs.
West Virginia’s vision and commitment to the following four goals are designed to specifically address the state’s economy and workers in transition:
- West Virginia will expand and implement high-quality work-based learning opportunities for youth and adult learners.
- West Virginia will increase referrals and integration of services to improve access to supportive services customized for individuals needing education and employment.
- West Virginia will implement comprehensive sector strategy approaches to reduce skills mismatches and enhance faster labor market attachment while informing education and training priorities.
- West Virginia will implement the Blue Ribbon Franchise Model of workforce service delivery to increase the efficiency of service delivery and effectiveness in serving businesses, workers, and job seekers.
1. West Virginia Economic Outlook 2023-2027 is published by the Bureau of Business & Economic Research, John Chambers College of Business & Economics, West Virginia University, Josh Hall, PhD, Milan Puskar Dean