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Investing in West
OLIVIA MILLER
Virginia ’ s Workforce
Amid a serious labor shortage , global pandemic , population decline , high unemployment numbers and low labor force participation rates , there are many challenges looming over the hills of West Virginia to prepare and retain a qualified workforce .
In the current economy , 75 % of jobs require post-secondary education or training . According to West Virginia ’ s Climb Initiative , it is estimated that only 31 % of West Virginians hold an associate degree or higher , while 60 % of the state ’ s residents will need such a credential to meet future workforce demands . Considering these issues , the West Virginia State Legislature has taken steps in recent years to support and strengthen West Virginia ’ s workforce through funding opportunities geared toward building a skilled workforce .
As such , the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission ( HEPC ) is working to equip 60 % of the Mountain State ’ s workforce with a formal credential beyond high school by 2030 — doubling the percentage of working-age West Virginians with a post-secondary education over the next decade .
Many collaborative efforts are underway throughout the state to invest in potential workers and improve economic development . The HEPC ’ S Division of Health Sciences strives to bring experts together to collaborate and support innovation to improve the health of the people in West Virginia through supportive health sciences education .
“ We really see ourselves as supporting the workforce for the future of health care in West Virginia , and we do that in a variety of ways ,” says Cynthia Persily , senior director of health sciences . “ We support a number of programs that help to recruit or retain professionals in West Virginia .”
The HEPC Division of Health Sciences oversees and administers the Rural Health Initiative , a statewide program directed at improving the recruitment and retention of health care providers to rural areas of the state . The initiative awards three large , two-year grants every year to Marshall University , West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ( WVSOM ) and West Virginia University ( WVU ). Program funding from the initiative is also used to award smaller grants to other higher education programs , health care facilities and nonprofits . Approximately $ 1.4 million has been awarded to each participating school over a two-year period .
Thanks to this funding , Marshall University ’ s Robert C . Byrd Center for Rural Health awards residency sign-on incentive programs , a rural health fellowship program , scholar programs and rural research grants . WVU ’ s Institute for Community and Rural Health has awarded more than $ 2 million to dental and medical students who have committed to practicing in rural and underserved areas since 2012 . WVSOM ’ s Green Coat Program offers undergraduates the opportunity to gain exposure to clinical responsibilities in a hospital environment .
A top priority of HEPC ’ s Division of Health Sciences focuses on the nursing workforce shortage . According to the West Virginia Center for Nursing , 39 % of all registered nurses in West Virginia are over the age of 51 . With nearly half of all nurses nearing retirement age , the division is looking to rapidly increase the number of educated nurses .
A top retention tool for nursing is the West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program — intended for licensed practical nurses , registered nurses and master ’ s or doctoral nursing education students . In exchange for receiving the scholarship ,
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE