Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Thursday recognized the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia for improving student access to job training programs. He also called for more collaboration among higher education leaders as they connect students with training for high-skill and high-wage jobs.
Tomblin, who spoke briefly Thursday during a press conference at BridgeValley Community and Technical College in South Charleston, said improving participation in skill training programs will help put West Virginians back to work.
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, West Virginia has the lowest workforce participation rate in the country. The state also has one of the worst college-going and degree attainment rates in the country.
Tomblin said jobs are a motivator and that providing career pathways through community and technical college programs will push students to finish high school and continue their education.
The push for improved college participation and workforce training is prompted by economic forecasts that say 60 percent of the state's jobs in 2020 will require postsecondary education. Currently, fewer than 30 percent meet that criteria.
In recent years, West Virginia's community college system has implemented strategies to produce more graduates, said Sarah Tucker, the system's chancellor.
"Our community colleges have come a long way," she said Thursday following Tomblin's commendation.
Tomblin, this year, has pushed for more investment in workforce training. During his State of the State address, he proposed giving the Learn and Earn program an extra $300,000 from the current budget to create "new, valuable learning experiences for our students."
That program allows students to gain experience in a classroom and on the job.
- from staff, wire reports