September 16, 2015

Manchin and Capito Announce $200,000 for WorkForce West Virginia Competitive Improvement Program

Appalachian Regional Commission grant will support job training and business growth in West Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced that the West Virginia Development Office will receive $200,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the WorkForce West Virginia Competitive Improvement Program, which helps train workers and strengthen local businesses.

“Our greatest resource in West Virginia is our workforce, the hardest working, most dedicated people in the nation,” Senator Manchin said. “In order to stay strong and competitive, it is important that we continue to invest in our workforce. By providing support and training to our workers and businesses, the WorkForce West Virginia Competitive Improvement Program will allow our businesses to keep and create good-paying jobs and remain competitive in the global economy.”

“In order to grow and compete nationally, West Virginia’s businesses must have access to a strong workforce,” said Senator Capito. “Initiatives like the WorkForce West Virginia Competitive Improvement Program that train local workers and assist small businesses are exactly what we need to improve West Virginia’s economy. This funding will help make our businesses more competitive and get West Virginians back to work.”

Program details:

WorkForce West Virginia’s Competitive Improvement Program (CIP) will help existing West Virginia businesses become more competitive by utilizing local training network teams and technical services providers to strengthen workforce assistance. This includes supporting businesses that need to make improvements to basic operations; assisting businesses in assessing opportunities to compete regionally and nationally; developing a curriculum that can be shared across other businesses; and increasing the skill levels of existing and entry level employees to improve retention. WorkForce West Virginia anticipates serving at least 650 employees in 16 companies, and at least 50 new jobs will be created. In addition to the ARC funds, participating companies will provide an additional $400,000 for the program.

###