Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, in conjunction with the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council, today hosted the state’s first Workforce Summit, a comprehensive review of the state’s workforce development efforts. The event included an overview of initiatives to meet the needs of West Virginia’s workforce, as well as the training needs of new and expanding businesses investing in the Mountain State.
“Over the past two years, the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council has operated behind the scenes, but West Virginia has a great story to tell and it’s time we start telling it,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Today’s summit gives us with a wonderful opportunity to share the progress we’re making and shine a light on the number of workforce training and education programs available for West Virginians across the state.”
The summit included presentations by First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin; Dr. Kathy D’Antoni, Chief Officer of Career and Technical Education at the West Virginia Department of Education; Chancellor Jim Skidmore, West Virginia Community and Technical College System; Steve White, Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation; Todd Fox, DuPont Washington Works; Adjutant General James Hoyer, West Virginia National Guard; Dr. Carolyn Stuart, Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs; and Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette.
“When businesses operating in West Virginia have unmet needs, we take action and work together to develop training programs and opportunities to build a strong and tailored workforce,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Our state’s continued success is built on our strong business climate and skilled workforce, and I’m confident that together we will ensure a bright future for West Virginia for generations to come.”
More than 100 people attended the event at BridgeValley Community and Technical College’s Advanced Technology Center in South Charleston.
For more information about Workforce West Virginia programs, visit http://www.wvcommerce.org/business/workforcewv.
