West Virginia Regional Workforce Boards
Locals Helping Locals in a Tight Job Market
Sometimes it ’ s a whisper of concern , other times it ’ s a shout of frustration , but the same message can be heard from grocery stores , barber shops and truck stops , to offices and factories alike : Employers in all industry sectors claim they can ’ t find workers today . Whether this current shortage of qualified job candidates is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , public policy , labor force participation or shifting work-life balance expectations , the consensus is that finding employees with the right skills has been extremely challenging over the past year . Employers have been forced to find new and creative ways to attract and retain workers , such as offering sign-on bonuses , flexible work hours , free gym memberships and , of course , higher wages . Despite these incentives , the prevailing condition is causing many businesses to suffer and even close their doors in some cases .
In West Virginia , there are seven Local Workforce Development Boards ( LWDBs ) whose mission is to develop a skilled workforce that enables our economy to expand and individuals to be self-sufficient . This is done through an integrated network of partners from education and training institutions , businesses and industries , nonprofit community organizations , governmental agencies and labor affiliates that each LWDB is required to have under the law . With federal funding from the U . S . Department of Labor
called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( WIOA ), LWDBs and employers can receive free assistance in recruiting workers via job fairs and hiring events , wage reimbursement for WIOA-eligible new hires who may need on-thejob training , funding for apprenticeship programs and grants to offset the cost of customized training for their existing workers . A vibrant economy requires healthy businesses that are able to thrive and grow , which in turn requires a skilled workforce able to meet the changing demands of their respective industries . The goal is to help job seekers access employment , training , education and support services that will allow them to succeed in the labor market .
The federal funding is provided by your tax dollars to assist those most in need . Individuals who have household incomes that meet regional income guidelines , have been laid off from work due to no fault of their own , veterans , out-ofschool youth , ex-offenders , homeless individuals , people with disabilities and those with substance use disorder or other barriers to employment are examples of the populations WIOA was intended to help . With a helping hand , many West Virginians can become valuable members of the workforce .
During the 2020 program year , the seven LWDBs in West Virginia served a total of 52,828 clients .
More than 600 existing workers were trained to keep Mountain State businesses competitive , and more than 2,500 job seekers received training to obtain a degree or certificate in a high-demand occupation .
Unfortunately , for many folks , there are barriers that come with accessing training , such as transportation , childcare or simply not being able to afford the necessary tools or proper uniforms . These are often deterrents to taking that first step toward a better life . In 2020 , the LWDBs assisted 1,835 individuals with supportive services to enable them to attend training classes and acquire the skills needed to succeed in today ’ s job market . In addition to serving adults with barriers to employment and dislocated workers , the LWDBs served 1,307 youth in 2020 by giving them work experience and training .
These testimonials are proof of how the programs have been able to help .
Casey , with the help of her Region III LWDB , was able to fulfill her dream of getting her aesthetician ’ s license . Since graduating from The Palm Beauty in Cross Lanes , Casey and a friend have secured a location to open their own salon in downtown Charleston .
Richelle went to her Region VII LWDB for