West Virginia: State of the State

West Virginia ESAC State Report 2025

• Apprentice Office Details
  • Staffing – State Director and ONE ATR
  • Martinsburg State Office, Clarksburg Field Office
• Key New Initiatives
  • Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Nontraditional Degree (STAND) Program in WV.  The STAND program helps you earn a college degree based on your skilled trades experience-without any cost or debt.
  • Apprenticeship Child Care Specialist earns college credit toward associate’s degree in all 9 Community and Technical Colleges in WV
  • Collaborating with WFWV and Communicare to develop a CNA program in 41 locations in WV utilizing CTEs for pre-apprenticeship experience
  • Promote the American Advanced Manufacturing Incentive Fund
  • Cross agency collaboration, broaden RA awareness, Debunk Myths
• Statistics
  • Number of Apprentices – 3775
  • Number of New Apprentices – 1437
  • Number of Completed Apprentices – 551
  • Number of Sponsors – 114
  • Number of Active Employers – 389
  • Number New Sponsors – 9
  • Number of New Occupations Added – 7
• Workforce Partnerships
  • Relationships with i.e. Employers, Career Technical Centers, Sector Partners, Community Technical Colleges, etc. The State WV Workforce, Seven Local Workforce Development Board, WV Economic Development and WV Department of Commerce, Department of Education and Energy, and Department of Veteran Affairs
• Key Initiatives 
  • Clearway Energy was the first Wind Turbine Technician Program in the state
  • Expand the Healthcare industry to include pre-apprenticeships in CTEs with Communicare in 41 locations, staring with CNAs with a pathway to LPNs
  • Expand Articulation Agreements with all 9 CTCs to all occupations to earn an Associates Degree
• Legislative Issues
  • Recognition – Dual Credit with Community Colleges, HB 5162
• Budget
  • Funding streams – State WV Workforce, Seven Local WIBs, Community and Colleges, WV Development Office, Governor’s Guaranteed Program, Earn and Learn program, SAEF grants, American Advanced Manufacturing Incentive Fund
• Other issues – Increase Reciprocity, reduce barriers, sustain funding for registered apprenticeship