The West Virginia Community and Technical College System announced nine new paid cooperative educational experiences, known as Learn and Earns, with some of West Virginia’s leading employers.
“The Learn and Earn program has created remarkably unique opportunities for West Virginia students,” Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said. “These new business partnerships represent continued momentum for the program, which allows West Virginians to get the training they need for in-demand fields in our state – while simultaneously gaining on-the-job experiences that further strengthen their workforce readiness. I greatly value this program, which is why I proposed in my State of the State Address this year to redirect funds that would expand Learn and Earn to create even more learning opportunities for our students. This is a shining example of a program that works for West Virginians, and I’m pleased more companies are getting involved.”
Learn and Earn provides paid on-the-job training for students in high-demand technology programs. Students work while simultaneously taking courses to earn a degree or credential in their respective technical field. Created in 2006, the Learn and Earn Program was established to increase a community college’s capacity to meet the workforce education and training needs for regional employers. Funded by a 50/50 employer and CTC matching contribution, the Learn and Earn program is a well-crafted partnership between industry and institution that allows students to earn both hands-on experience and a living wage while employers gain highly-qualified employees and cut recruiting costs. Each co-op experience must pay a student no less than $10 per hour.
“The Learn and Earn program is critical to establishing relationships with regional employers and our community colleges,” said Chancellor Sarah Tucker. “It allows students the opportunity to go back to college, while earning money and real-world experience. This is critical for our low-income students and for our adult students, who have to support a family while returning to school. It also serves as a pipeline to bring cutting-edge technology to our campuses and keep our educators and students on the cusp of an increasingly competitive and high-tech economy.”
- The HB 3009 Committee responsible for approving Learn and Earn proposals granted co-ops to the following institutions and participating companies:
- BridgeValley Community and Technical College with Gestamp and Brewer & Company
- Pierpont Community and Technical College with American Bituminous Power Partners, Ryan Environmental, Crestwood Midstream, Longview Power, Backwoods ENT, and Resolute Forest Products
- WV Northern Community College with Ziegenfelder
When establishing a Learn and Earn, the most important component is the linkage to potential jobs. Community colleges and employers must work together to ensure these experiences increase a student’s marketability upon graduation and meet the high-skill job demands in West Virginia’s emerging sectors. These new co-op experiences will focus on the areas of energy and advanced manufacturing.
In order to further develop the advanced manufacturing sector in the northern part of the State, WV Northern Community College began working with Zeigenfelder, a manufacturing company that develops ice cream products. Many students have already received extensive training on equipment utilized by Ziegenfelder on WVNCC’s campus. Through this partnership, students can now put their training to work and gain real-life experience in motor controls, complex networking, pneumatics, hydraulics, and troubleshooting. Students will earn $13 an hour.
In addition to advanced manufacturing, northern West Virginia has seen a significant boom in the natural gas industry. Pierpont Community and Technical College has worked closely with employers to develop programs such as the Petroleum Technology and Applied Process Technology to meet the needs of energy companies. The first class of Applied Process Technology students graduated in the summer of 2015 where the majority of students went on to gain full-time positions in the industry. Current students now have the opportunity to explore the operations, maintenance, and instrumentation areas of regional energy employers before graduation.
Collaborative programs, such as Learn and Earn, are key to workforce and economic development across West Virginia. Currently, Gestamp has two groups of co-op students in BridgeValley’s Machine Tool Certificate Degree program and one group of students in the Mechatronics Certificate degree program. These programs are used as pre-apprenticeships for Gestamp. Successful students are eligible for Gestamp Mechatronics and Tool & Die apprenticeships. Students currently work 30 hours each week at a rate of $15 an hour. Upon completion of the Certificate, Gestamp has the option to offer students full-time positions and increased their wages to $19 an hour. Students will graduate with multiple industry-recognized certifications, the potential for full-time employment, and will be eligible forGestamp’s tuition reimbursement plan.
“Our community and technical colleges work diligently to pursue new Learn and Earn opportunities because this program is the truest definition of our system. There is no better example of education and workforce coming together than the Learn and Earn program. It’s life-changing for our students and our State.” Tucker said.
