BEAVER, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday signed two major workforce development bills at New River Community and Technical College, measures he said will expand career training options and strengthen West Virginia’s pipeline of skilled workers.
The legislation — Senate Bills 402 and 490 — is designed to connect more residents with short-term, career‑focused programs aligned with high‑demand industries.
“Our state is experiencing unprecedented economic growth, but projects alone do not build an economy — people do,” Morrisey said during the ceremony. “These bills are about creating more pathways for West Virginians to succeed, whether that means becoming a welder, nurse, electrician, HVAC technician, lineman, manufacturer, or pursuing another high‑demand career that keeps our economy moving forward.”
Micro‑Credentialing Framework
Senate Bill 402, known as the Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act, creates the West Virginia Micro‑Credential Program under the Higher Education Policy Commission. The initiative establishes a standardized, statewide system for recognizing skills mastery and issuing portable credentials that employers can use to evaluate job candidates.
The commission will collaborate with the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Professional Charter School Board, and Council for Community and Technical College Education to develop shared standards for training programs, assessments, competencies, and credit recognition. The bill prioritizes workforce needs in construction, manufacturing, energy, and other high‑demand sectors. It also allows students to convert qualifying micro‑credentials into college credit.
Workforce Pell Expansion
Senate Bill 490 aligns state policy with the federal Workforce Pell Grant expansion championed by President Donald Trump through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible students will be able to use Pell Grants for certain short‑term workforce programs lasting eight to fifteen weeks, including some non‑credit pathways.
Programs must meet federal accountability requirements, including minimum completion and job‑placement standards.
State officials estimate the expansion could bring roughly $1.5 billion in federal investment to West Virginia over the next decade, with average awards of about $2,200 per eligible student.
“These initiatives recognize something West Virginians have known for generations — there is dignity in skilled work,” Morrisey said. “We are building a workforce system that moves faster, responds to employer needs, and gives more people the opportunity to build successful careers right here at home.”
Economic Development Context
The bill signing comes amid what the administration describes as a historic period of economic growth. Since October, state officials have announced more than $12.8 billion in private‑sector investments tied to an estimated 12,000 projected jobs.
