BEAVER, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey signed two major workforce development bills during a bill signing ceremony at New River Community and Technical College aimed at expanding career training opportunities and strengthening West Virginia’s skilled workforce pipeline. Together, Senate Bills 402 and 490 will help connect more West Virginians with fast-tracked, career-focused training programs tied to high-demand industries.
“Our state is experiencing unprecedented economic growth, but projects alone do not build an economy – people do,” said Governor Morrisey. “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.”
Senate Bill 402, the Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act, establishes the West Virginia Micro-Credential Program within the Higher Education Policy Commission. The program creates a standardized, state-recognized framework that allows workers to demonstrate skills mastery and earn portable credentials recognized by employers across West Virginia industries.
Under the legislation, the Higher Education Policy Commission will work alongside 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, skills assessments, competencies, and class credit recognition. The legislation prioritizes workforce needs in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and energy while also allowing workers to convert qualifying micro-credentials into college credit if they later pursue additional education.
Senate Bill 490 implements changes connected to the federal Workforce Pell Grant expansion championed by President Trump through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible students will be able to use Pell Grant funding for certain short-term, career-focused workforce programs lasting as little as eight to fifteen weeks, including some non-credit pathways and programs designed for workers seeking new skills or career transitions.
Programs must meet strict federal accountability standards, including minimum completion and job placement benchmarks intended to ensure students are connected to programs leading to real workforce opportunities.
The initiative is projected to bring an estimated $1.5 billion in federal investment to West Virginia over the next decade, with financial aid awards averaging approximately $2,200 per eligible recipient.
“These initiatives recognize something West Virginians have known for generations – there is dignity in skilled work,” Governor 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.”
The workforce legislation comes during a historic period of economic development activity across West Virginia. Since October, the Morrisey Administration has announced more than $12.8 billion in private sector investments that are expected to create more than 12,000 projected jobs statewide.
