JEN ISKOW GENERATION WEST VIRGINIA
Investing in Tomorrow
Generation West Virginia’ s Workforce Initiatives
Young people are critical to the future of West Virginia. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, Millennials and Generation Z will make up more than 60 % of the country’ s labor force by 2030.
West Virginia faces several obstacles that hinder its ability to attract, retain and advance its young workforce, including having the second-lowest workforce participation rate in the country; a declining number of residents in the 18-44 age range; the lowest percentage of higher education attainment nationwide; and the highest rate of young adults living in poverty.
Generation West Virginia( GWV) is determined to help change this narrative. By investing in young people and equipping them with the tools, opportunities and support they need, GWV is creating a thriving environment for the next generation of leaders.
“ By fostering innovation, building connections and addressing critical barriers, we are creating a future where young West Virginians can see their brightest opportunities at home rather than elsewhere,” says Alex Weld, executive director of GWV.
One of GWV’ s flagship initiatives is NewForce, a fivemonth, fully remote and free tech-training program designed to prepare West Virginians for high-demand careers in technology. This program was a resounding success, placing graduates at top tech companies such as Rev. io, Core10, IBM and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. In 2024, GWV added a data analytics training component to the program, responding to West Virginia’ s evolving job market. This move reflects the growing demand for skilled data analysts across industries like health care, education and government. With career development support, mock interviews with industry pros, personalized job placement guidance
and an industry-recognized curriculum, graduates leave ready to tackle the tech world.
The GWV Fellowship is a six-month professional development program that equips young professionals with the skills and connections needed to thrive in their careers. Each year, the fellowship supports up to 30 participants from across the state. In 2024, the fellowship engaged young adults from 14 counties, providing them with mentorship, networking opportunities and training to help them advance in their careers. A 2023 survey revealed that 100 % of fellows expanded their networks, developed career-ready skills and built meaningful connections within West Virginia.
“ The GWV Fellowship allowed me to gain a better understanding of myself and my strengths and leadership qualities,” says GWV Fellowship graduate Maria Miller-Blatt.“ From soft skills development, like giving and receiving feedback, to sessions about the economic development of our communities and participation in some of the state’ s largest tourism draws, this program has covered it all.”
West Virginia’ s talent pipeline gains momentum through the Career Connector, GWV’ s workforce development hub. This program helps job seekers with career navigation, résumé guidance and interview preparation; connects employers with a robust network of young talent; and reached more than 100,000 people in the last quarter of 2024.
The Career Connector directly impacted 550 individuals in 2024, solidifying its role as a critical bridge between West Virginia’ s employers and its emerging workforce.
In an increasingly digital world, reliable internet access is non-negotiable. GWV works closely with the State Broadband Office to secure funding, improve access and promote equity. Since 2022, GWV’ s grant-writing and project management efforts have led to $ 68 million in broadband investments,
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE