$4 Million TechHire Partnership Grant Awarded to West Virginia Technology Transformation Initiative

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), along with Representatives David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Evan Jenkins, announced that BridgeValley Community and Technical College's (CTC) West Virginia Technology Transformation Initiative will receive $4 million through the Department of Labor's TechHire Partnership grant program.

The funding will support BridgeValley CTC's efforts to expand the region's economy by increasing technology-based education opportunities. The program will serve 10 south-central West Virginia counties: Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam and Wayne. It will help young adults upgrade their skills in order to obtain tech jobs, ranging from software developers to mechanical engineers and machinists.

"As our economy continues to transform, we must ensure our people have the skills needed to obtain new technology-based jobs. The more tools we invest in diversifying our economy, and helping our residents improve their skills and acquire jobs, the better off West Virginia will be. This program is a significant step in the right direction," said Senator Capito.

"This investment in BridgeValley CTC and the West Virginia Technology Transformation Initiative is an investment in West Virginia's economy, the quality of life of our citizens and the future success of our state," Senator Manchin said. "This program will meet the needs of West Virginians in communities that are suffering economically and will help better prepare them for successful and meaningful careers. I applaud this funding and look forward to hearing of this program's positive results for West Virginians, employers and our state in the years to come."

"Diversifying West Virginia's economy is imperative to ensure a bright future for our kids and grandkids," said Congressman McKinley. "A key part of that is ensuring our workforce has the skills needed for the 21st Century. This funding is a good step to educate and train West Virginians for jobs in the technology field."

"As I travel across West Virginia, I hear from teachers, employers, and students that technical skills training opens new opportunities for good jobs. This grant provides critical funds for technical skills training and will help West Virginians compete in today's workplace. With so many West Virginians struggling in today's economy, we must pursue every available opportunity to help our workers succeed," said Congressman Mooney.

"BridgeValley helps train West Virginians for jobs in the technology sector, and this grant will allow them to offer opportunities to even more students. Diversifying our state's economy is important, and having a well-equipped workforce will allow our state to better attract and retain new employers. TechHire is an example of the kind of programs we must pursue in order to strengthen our state's economy," Congressman Jenkins said.