the long-term annual job creation rate again . Absent enough new workers entering the labor force , businesses must make up for this gap in different ways : automation , immigration , outsourcing or employing non-traditional workers , including workers past the retirement age . Each of these solutions comes with its own complexities and highlights how challenging it is to be an employer in today ’ s economy .
Another difficult scenario faced by
U . S . employers is the fact that the number of job openings has consistently exceeded the number of unemployed people searching for work . The unfortunate reality is that unemployed jobseekers are often unqualified for the open positions . This skills gap has led economic and workforce development organizations to devote more time and resources to education and workforce training efforts that align employee skills with employer needs . West Virginia is tackling this
challenge . Colleges and universities , workforce development groups , economic development organizations and businesses are collaborating to build stronger pipelines of talent that prepare West Virginians for productive careers in growing industries across the state . The new downtown innovation centers launched by the University of Charleston and West Virginia State University in downtown Charleston and Marshall University in downtown Huntington ; the proposed LIFT Center being spearheaded by the Charleston Area Alliance in collaboration with numerous partners ranging from Coalfield Development Corporation to Marshall University ; and the new Marshall flight school at West Virginia International Yeager Airport are just a few examples of exciting projects linking educational partners with industry professionals . Another promising initiative aimed at attracting talent into the state is the Ascend WV program , administered by West Virginia University and made possible by the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE